Cricket: England's Stokes Out Of 4th Day Against Pakistan

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th july, 2016) - England all-rounder Ben Stokes will take no further part in the fourth day's play in the second Test against Pakistan after suffering a calf injury while bowling at Old Trafford on Monday, a team spokesman said. After delivering his second ball of the 22nd over, with Pakistan 68 for two, the Durham pace bowler pulled up with a right calf strain. Stokes, returning to Test cricket this match after suffering a knee injury in the series opener against Sri Lanka at Headingley in May, grimaced in pain. The England physiotherapist came onto the field but, after a few minutes' treatment, escorted the 25-year-old off. At that stage, Stokes had innings figures of none for 21 in 5.2 overs, although Younis Khan, then on three, was dropped off his bowling by England captain Alastair Cook at first slip earlier Monday.

There remains a possibility that Stokes could play on Tuesday, if the match goes into a fifth day, but his injury looked a serious one. Off-spinner Moeen Ali, completing the over, was then hit for six by Mohammad Hafeez. Two balls later Ali bowled a no-ball full toss that sailed above Hafeez's head. A second full toss above waist-high would see Ali barred from bowling in the rest of the innings and, with Stokes injured, leave England down to just three frontline bowlers. England, 1-0 down in the four-match series, left Pakistan with a huge 565 for victory after Cook declared the hosts' second innings on 173 in Monday's morning session. The third Test at Edgbaston starts on August 3.