The All-rounder Ben Stokes has undergone planned surgery on September 25 and is “on track” to participate in the series against Pakistan starting on in the second week of October.
Ben Stokes has been out of action after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred at the beginning of August.
An England statement said, “The results of the scans were positive and confirmed that his recovery, since sustaining the injury six-and-a-half weeks ago, remains on track to participate in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan.”
Stokes missed England’s 2-1 victory against Sri Lanka with Ollie Pope leading the side as stand-in captain.
Despite his progress, Ben Stokes’s injury created concerns about whether he would be able to bowl in the early part of the tour. While speaking in the media, Stokes was asked if he was likely to be able to bowl in the first test he said,
“I think that’s you getting ahead of yourself. I’ve been six-and-a-half weeks now of just walking and doing stuff in the gym.
Ben Stokes today underwent a planned scan on his hamstring injury.
Results confirmed his recovery remains on track ahead of the Test tour to Pakistan
🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/hUWZZMq9ft
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 25, 2024
“There’s a lot more than just my hamstring that I need to get back firing and working up again in terms of bowling because you use everything, so I need to get that all right to make sure I don’t do any damage to other parts of my body.”
“I’m all good. I have my six-and-a-half week scan tomorrow and we’ll know more from that, but I am feeling good,” said Stokes.
“It was a hamstring tear which sneaked into my tendon. That’s why it takes a week or two longer than a normal hammy. Rehab has gone really well so hopefully everything tomorrow gets the the all clear and start pushing it a bit more.”
Stokes’ absence from the Sri Lanka series has brought in Jamie Smith to number six and playing an extra bowler.
The scenario of Stokes only being able to bat would potentially leave Engladn with a selection decision. England won a clean sweep 3-0 on their last visit to Pakistan in 2022, the first team to record a clean sweep on Pakistan soil.
The first test match of the Pakistan tour will be played between October 07 and 11 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
