Prior, Stokes injury concerns for England

Cricket365
May 3, 2014

England coach Peter Moores has a number of injury concerns ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka at home next month, with Matt Prior's Achilles and Ben Stokes' wrist at the top of the list.

England have a series of limited-overs matches against the Sri Lankans before the Tests begin in early June, but it will be a tight squeeze to get Prior, Stokes and even Stuart Broad fit for the first match. Broad is recovering from persistent issues with his knee.

Prior recently returned to action for Sussex, looking to reclaim his Test place, and scored a valuable century. But his ankle injury flared up again, ruling him out of further action, much to Moores' consternation.

Moores said of Prior: "It's a concern – because he's obviously played a game and his Achilles has flared up. He's on a break now, and we need to make sure that when he plays it doesn't flare up again.

"It is something our medics are right on top of – you need your players to be fit. We want to be selecting from everyone.

"The Test matches don't start for a while, and he has to show he can get through a game without it flaring up."

As for Stokes, there is no actual time line for his return after he broke his wrist in a fit of rage in the West Indies ahead of the World Twenty20, punching a locker after being dismissed.

Moores added of the Ashes star: "It was complicated one, so it takes a bit more time. It will be when he's ready to play, and if that's not the first Test then it isn't."

The coach then went on to discuss fast bowler Steve Finn, who was not selected in the ODI squad to face Scotland next week, despite a rush of wickets for Middlesex this season. Finn was sent home from the Ashes tour, deemed 'unplayable' he was so out of form.

Moores is still wary of including the paceman too soon after his rejuvenation: "He's the sort of player a coach wants to be able to select, that's for sure … (but) is he ready to be selected?.

"There is a general perception we should give him long enough in county cricket to really get to where he wants to, before he goes and plays for England again.

"What I do like is him taking wickets in county cricket. He looks like he's bowling the sort of balls you want to see a fast bowler bowling. That is exciting for us – because he was missed in the winter."