Stokes ‘doesn’t look good’ for second Test

England

England are set to be without all-rounder Ben Stokes for the second Test against Sri Lanka, with skipper Alastair Cook confirming that the knee injury 'doesn't look good' for the Durham player.

Stokes was set to play at his home ground in the match on 27 May, but was forced to leave the field at Headingley with a sore knee, and Cook later confirmed that only a serious issue would have made the gritty redhead leave the field.

Cook said of Stokes: "He doesn't look good for Durham. He'll have a scan tomorrow. We will certainly add to the squad. Even if he's named there will be a risk.

"We don't know. He has something in his knee and is not 100 per cent right. It took a major shoulder thing for him to leave the pitch in Abu Dhabi so for him to not feel right is not great. But you never know."

Stokes had seemed to jar his knee while bowling on day two, but after a brief treatment break he was back on the field. He also came on to play on day three, but not for long and limped off.

As for his replacement, seamer Jake Ball is in the squad and could get balled up, shifting Moeen Ali up the order, or all-rounder Chris Woakes could be recalled to maintain the batting strength.

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