"Ben Stokes set to lead England in Pakistan despite recent hamstring injury, focusing on batting while prioritizing long-term health. His leadership brings hope for success as the team navigates selection challenges."
Ben Stokes has received approval to lead England's Test tour of Pakistan next month; however, he is still expected to refrain from bowling at the beginning of the series. Stokes was absent from his team’s last three matches against Sri Lanka due to a hamstring tear he sustained while playing for the Northern Superchargers on August 11, but he has been intensifying his recovery efforts in recent weeks.
The 33-year-old has returned to the nets in preparation for final scans on his injury, and the results indicate that he is expected to captain his team in Multan on October 7. However, it seems more probable that he will function solely as a specialist batsman, as England is hesitant to jeopardize the long-term fitness of their captain.
The England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement stating: 'Ben Stokes, the captain of the England Men's Test team, has undergone scheduled scans today regarding the hamstring injury that had sidelined him from the Test series against Sri Lanka. The scan results were encouraging and confirmed that his recovery, since the injury occurred six-and-a-half weeks ago, is progressing well for his participation in the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan.'
Two years ago, Stokes led England to a 3-0 victory in Pakistan, marking his first overseas role after succeeding Joe Root. His involvement is set to significantly enhance England's chances. However, it will limit the team's flexibility in terms of composition. With his capacity to bat in the top six and contribute to the seam bowling workload diminished, the team's bowling configuration may need to be a compromise.
While speaking to Sky Sports following England's ODI win against Australia at Durham on Tuesday, Stokes remarked: 'My rehabilitation has been progressing very well. However, there is much more to address beyond just my hamstring that I need to recondition and strengthen for bowling, as it involves the entire body. I have to ensure everything is functioning properly to avoid causing any harm to other areas. I experienced a hamstring tear that extended into my tendon, which is why my recovery is taking a week or two longer than a typical hamstring injury.'
