England Test captain Ben Stokes and opener Zak Crawley have suffered injuries that will impact their availability for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.
Stokes, 33, was carried off the field while playing for the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred on Sunday. The all-rounder appeared to suffer a hamstring injury and was assisted into the stands by team staff. England’s first Test against Sri Lanka begins on August 21 at Old Trafford, the same ground where Stokes sustained his injury.
Meanwhile, Crawley has been ruled out of the series due to a broken finger. The 26-year-old fractured his little finger on his right hand while attempting to take a catch during the third Test victory over the West Indies. Crawley will now focus on recovering in time for England’s tour of Pakistan in October.
With Crawley sidelined, Dan Lawrence is expected to open alongside Ben Duckett. Lawrence has been included in several England squads but has not played a Test since 2022. The 27-year-old has impressed in the County Championship this season, averaging 53.09 with two centuries and three fifties.
England have made several other changes to their squad ahead of the Sri Lanka series. Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith, who made their Test debuts against the West Indies, have been retained. Essex batsman Jordan Cox has received his first call-up, while uncapped seamer Dillon Pennington has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Nottinghamshire seam bowler Olly Stone returns to the Test squad for the first time since 2021. The 29-year-old will be hoping to add to his three Test caps.
The first Test against Sri Lanka starts at Old Trafford on August 21, with the second match at Lord’s and the third at The Oval.
