Concerns have been raised over England’s captain Ben Stokes’ health going into the second day of the third Test match against India at Lord’s after he seemed to have a groin injury on the first day.
Despite receiving on-field treatment, Stokes kept batting and ended the game undefeated. Ollie Pope, the vice captain of England, stated that the team would evaluate his condition the next day, emphasising the significance of handling the matter with caution in such a pivotal Test match.
With Stokes on 39 and Joe Root undefeated at 99, England finished the day at 251/4.
The 34-year-old all-rounder has a history of problems, including two hamstring strains in the last eight months and a chronic knee problem that necessitated surgery in 2023.
“Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious and that he can use magic to bounce back. We’ll see how he does tomorrow, Friday,” Pope added, according to NDTVSports.
“We need to try to control him because we have a huge test in four days and a significant two after that. Making sure he doesn’t push himself too far with whatever he’s going through right now is one of my responsibilities. He said, “I’ll help steer him in the right direction, and I’m sure the physios and medics will work with him to lay out a plan.”
Root was undefeated at 99 at the end of the day, one run short of recording his 37th Test century and an unprecedented ninth hundred at Lord’s. Pope said he was confident anxieties wouldn’t bother Root overnight.
He would have obviously delighted to have a hundred red (not out), but since he already has 36 of them, I doubt he will have any trouble sleeping. He will lower his head. Although he will be focussing on the big picture and attempting to make it a monster innings, it would have been lovely to see him win tonight. With any luck, we can accelerate and reach 400, then 500,” Pope said.
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