The decision was taken to manage his workload ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 21.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has Chris Woakes told him not to play in the final week of the Hundred. It was decided to divide his workload ahead of the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 21.
The all-rounder was set to feature in Birmingham Phoenix’s final two group matches against Trent Rockets on August 12 and Manchester Originals at Edgbaston on August 15. The Phoenix made the announcement after England’s Test captain Ben Stokes injured his thigh while playing for Northern Superchargers and is now a serious doubt about his ability to play in the first Test in Manchester.
Stokes opened the batting for the Superchargers but retired injured after the 12th ball of the chase after straining his hamstring while running up for a quick single. Stokes was at the non-bats’ end when he ran up for a single after the other end batsman Oliver Robinson missed an attempted scoop.
The left-hander made it to the other end but went down immediately after reaching the crease. Stokes was visibly in pain and had to be led off the field by support staff. He was later seen on crutches in the team bench. After the game, Superchargers captain Harry Brook admitted that Stokes’ injury “did not look good.”
Stokes is expected to undergo a scan on his hamstring on Tuesday. If he is ruled out, Woakes will be the only fast-bowling all-rounder in England’s Test team. Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir and Mark Wood, who all featured in the series against West Indies, have not played in the Hundred this year.
England are already without opener Zak Crawley due to a finger injury. Dan Lawrence is expected to open the batting in Crawley’s absence. If Stokes is unavailable, the still inexperienced Jordan Cox could make his debut and bat at No. 6. However, if England decide to replace Stokes with a frontline seamer, Jamie Smith and Woakes will have to bat at No. 6 and 7 respectively.
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