In a strategic move to manage workloads ahead of England’s crucial Test series against Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has withdrawn all-rounder Chris Woakes from the final stages of The Hundred. Woakes was slated to represent Birmingham Phoenix in their last two group matches, but the decision to pull him out was made as part of England’s broader preparation for the upcoming Test series, set to begin on August 21.
The ECB has clarified that Woakes’ withdrawal is unrelated to the recent hamstring injury suffered by Test captain Ben Stokes while playing for Northern Superchargers. Stokes’ injury, which occurred during the Superchargers’ win over Manchester Originals, has raised concerns about his availability for the Sri Lanka series. Stokes is scheduled for a scan on Tuesday, but early reports suggest that the injury may keep him out of action, potentially increasing Woakes’ responsibilities in the Test team.
Stokes’ Injury Concerns
Stokes, who retired hurt and was later seen on crutches, has been a pivotal figure for England in recent years, both as captain and as a key all-rounder. The injury occurred during a crucial match for the Superchargers and has cast a shadow over England’s preparations for the Sri Lanka series. Northern Superchargers’ captain Harry Brook expressed concern, stating that the injury “doesn’t look great.”
If Stokes is ruled out, England faces a significant reshuffle in their lineup. The team management might consider promoting Woakes to a more central role, leveraging his all-round capabilities. England’s Test squad already includes the uncapped Jordan Cox as a spare batter, with Dan Lawrence expected to step in for the injured Zak Crawley at the top of the order.
Potential Changes in England’s Lineup
Without Stokes, England could explore several lineup options. One scenario involves Jamie Smith and Woakes moving up the batting order to No. 6 and 7, respectively, with a bowler like Matthew Potts or Olly Stone stepping in to fill the void at No. 8. This shift would allow England to maintain a balance between their batting and bowling departments, despite the absence of Stokes.
None of England’s frontline bowlers from their final two Tests against West Indies have participated in The Hundred this year, signaling a clear focus on preserving key players for the Test series. Gus Atkinson has remained with the Oval Invincibles squad but has not been selected to play, while Shoaib Bashir and Mark Wood have not been involved in the competition at all.
Other Injury Concerns
Stokes is not the only England player to suffer an injury during The Hundred. Dillon Pennington, who was part of the Test squad against West Indies but did not play, sustained a hamstring injury while bowling for Northern Superchargers, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
As England looks to finalize their squad for the Sri Lanka series, these injuries underscore the challenges of balancing player workloads across formats, especially in a busy cricketing calendar.
Ian Bell Joins Sri Lanka Coaching Staff
In a related development, former England batsman Ian Bell will be joining Sri Lanka’s coaching staff for their series against England. Bell, who has been mentoring Jamie Smith at Birmingham Phoenix during The Hundred, has confirmed his involvement with the Sri Lankan team, adding an intriguing subplot to the upcoming series.
As the Test series against Sri Lanka draws near, England’s management will be closely monitoring the fitness of their key players, particularly Ben Stokes, whose injury could significantly impact the team’s plans. Meanwhile, Chris Woakes’ withdrawal from The Hundred signals England’s intent to ensure their squad is fully prepared and fit for the challenges ahead.
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