As the England cricket team gears up for their opening Test against Pakistan in Multan on October 7, captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Chris Woakes took some time off to enjoy a round of golf. The duo, part of the 17-member squad for the three-match series, was spotted in their golf attire in a video circulating on social media platform X.
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Injury Concerns Surrounding Ben Stokes
While Stokes is an integral part of the team, his availability for the first Test remains uncertain due to a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since August. This injury forced him to miss England’s recent home Test series against Sri Lanka, where stand-in captain Ollie Pope led the team to a 2-1 victory.
Opener Zak Crawley provided an update on Stokes’s recovery, stating, “He seems to be going well, recovering well from his injury. We don’t know just yet. I think he’s got to do a few more tests, but he’s been doing some running and stuff.” Despite this positive news, even if Stokes is fit to play, he is unlikely to bowl, which could complicate England’s selection strategy.
Balancing the Team Without Stokes
In Stokes’s absence during the Sri Lanka series, England opted for five specialist bowlers. If he cannot bowl against Pakistan, the team will need to reassess its balance. The management may have to decide whether to push Stokes into the top order or maintain their existing batting lineup while relying on part-time bowling options.
Stokes has had a mixed record against Pakistan in Tests. He has scored 351 runs in 17 innings, averaging 21.94, with just one half-century to his name. With the ball, he has taken 13 wickets across 12 innings. During his last Test series in Pakistan, he managed only 173 runs in six innings and took just one wicket. However, under his leadership last year, England achieved a historic 3-0 clean sweep against Pakistan on their home turf—marking their first Test series win in Pakistan since 2000/01.
Upcoming Series Schedule
The upcoming series against Pakistan consists of three Tests:
- 1st Test: October 7-11 in Multan
- 2nd Test: October 15-19 in Multan
- 3rd Test: October 24-28 in Rawalpindi
As England prepares for this crucial series, all eyes will be on Ben Stokes’s fitness as they aim to continue their dominance over Pakistan, who have not won a home Test in their last ten attempts. With the stakes high and uncertainty surrounding key players, the upcoming matches promise to be pivotal for both teams.
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