Ben Stokes Ruled Out Of 3-Match Test Series Against Sri Lanka

England’s men’s Test cricket captain, Ben Stokes, has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka. In his absence, No. 3 batter Ollie Pope will lead the Poms in the home series.

Stokes, who led England to a 3-0 win over the West Indies last month, suffered an injury during the Hundred match played on Sunday.

According to a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), “England Men’s Test Captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out for the rest of the summer after tearing his left hamstring while playing for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred on Sunday.”

“As a result of the scans conducted in Leeds on Tuesday, Stokes will miss England’s three-match Rothesay Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday, August 21. There will be no addition to the squad for this series.”

Stokes is now aiming to make a comeback for England during the three-match Test series against Pakistan in October 2024.

“The all-rounder is aiming to return for England’s winter Test tour of Pakistan, scheduled to start in early October. The tour includes three Test matches in Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. England batter Ollie Pope will captain the side in Ben’s absence,” the release added.

The first Test between England and Sri Lanka is set to start on August 21 in Manchester. Lord’s will host the second Test on August 29, and the final Test is scheduled to take place at the Oval starting on September 6.

After the Sri Lanka series, England will face Australia in three T20Is and five ODIs at home and then travel to Pakistan to face the Shan Masood-led side in a three-match Test series.

According to the schedule, the series opener is scheduled to take place in Multan from October 7–11. Karachi will host the second red-ball match from October 15 to 19, and the third Test will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (October 24-28).

England last travelled to Pakistan for a three-match Test series in December 2022, and under Stokes’ captaincy, they managed to get the better of Babar Azam’s men 3-0.