England will enter the second day of the third Test against India at Lord’s with doubts over captain Ben Stokes’ fitness, who seemed to have a groin problem on the first day.
Stokes needed on-field treatment but proceeded to bat, finishing undefeated at the close of play. England vice-captain Ollie Pope said the team would check his condition the next day, emphasising the significance of handling the situation properly in such an important Test match.
England finished the day on 251/4, with Joe Root undefeated on 99 and Stokes on 39. The 34-year-old all-rounder has a history of problems, including a long-standing knee problem that had surgery in 2023, and has experienced two hamstring injuries in the last eight months.
“Fingers crossed, it’s nothing serious, and he can do something magical and come back strong.
We’ll see how he shows up tomorrow (Friday),” stated Ollie Pope, as quoted by.
“We have a major test coming up in the next four days, followed by two big ones, so we need to attempt to manage him. That is one of my responsibilities, to ensure that he does not push himself too far with whatever he is dealing with at the time. I’m sure the physios and physicians will work with him to develop a strategy, and I’ll help steer him in the correct way,” he added.
The day’s play concluded with Root unbeaten on 99, just one run away from securing his 37th Test century and a record-extending eighth hundred at Lord’s. Pope expressed confidence that Root would not be troubled by nerves overnight.
“Obviously he’d have loved to have a hundred red (not out), but he’s got 36 of them, so I don’t think he’ll be too sleepless. He’ll get his head down. It would have been nice to see him get it tonight but he’ll be looking at the bigger picture and trying to make it a monster innings. Hopefully we can kick on and get 400, towards 500,” Pope concluded.
India
