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+--- Thread: Ben Stokes: England all-rounder to miss third Test against Pakistan (/thread-31869.html)
Ben Stokes: England all-rounder to miss third Test against Pakistan - King Mohunlal - 07-27-2016
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been ruled out of next week's third Test against Pakistan with a calf injury.
The 25-year-old suffered the problem bowling on day four of the second Test, which England won by 330 runs at Old Trafford.
The Durham player will have further tests next week to determine the severity of the injury.
Seamer Jake Ball is included in the 13-man squad alongside paceman Steven Finn and leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
Re: Ben Stokes: England all-rounder to miss third Test against Pakistan - dillinger10 - 07-27-2016
Definitely a blow for England. He was England's quickest bowler at Old Trafford and troubled a number of the Pakistan batsman with his pace and bounce. Fortunately, the emergence of Woakes helps to soften the blow somewhat. Stokes and Woakes in the same side give England tremendous balance, options, and a very deep batting lineup which helps given the frailty of the middle order.
The choice between Ball, Finn and Rashid is a difficult one. I can't imagine England opting for two spinners if they chose not to do so at Old Trafford - a traditionally spin friendly pitch. Finn has been terribly out of form as of late, and his rhythm has been all out of whack. As a result, his pace and consistency are down, but he does have tremendous upside when he is firing on all cylinders. Ball did okay at Lords, but nothing to write home about. It is a shame that Mark Wood is still working his way back to fitness. His pace could really trouble Pakistan.