Stokes, Prior return imminent

England continued to wait on the fitness of all-rounder Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior this week, as an important two-Test series against Sri Lanka neared.
England continued to wait on the fitness of all-rounder Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior this week, as an important two-Test series against Sri Lanka neared.
Stokes is nursing a fractured wrist sustained during the tour of the West Indies earlier this year, while Prior has been sidelined by a foot injury.
While neither were in contention for the one-off Twenty20 International and five ODIs against the sub-continental big guns this month, both are chasing selection for the Tests at Lord's and Headingley in June.
"Ben is on the road to recovery," said chief selector James Whitaker. "He had a positive scan, so it's slowly, slowly at the moment – more pressure each day and monitor it over the next week or two.
"But he will be being reintroduced to cricket over the next 10 or so days – very gentle, netting, perhaps an academy game. He's one we have to take good care of in the future.
"Matt's going to play on 26 May. He decided rather than come back sooner and just batting, let's try and clear it up so that when he does come back he can keep and bat at the same time."
A long-term replacement for the recently retired Graeme Swann, meanwhile, is in the balance. Swann quit international cricket late last year, leaving left-armer Monty Panesar at the fore of the spin-bowling attack in a historic five-nil series whitewash to the Australians.
Leg-spinner Scott Borthwick, Kent's James Tredwell, Lancashire's Simon Kerrigan and the uncapped Danny Briggs and Stephen Parry, meanwhile, remain on the outskirts of selection.
"Since Graeme has called it a day, it's an area of some concern. It's a very open book – and how that place gets filled will be dependent on the balance of the team, conditions on the day, so to pin our hopes on one specific area wouldn't be right to say at this stage," concluded Whitaker.
Latest
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day One: Anderson and Mathews vie for control in Galle
James Anderson returned figures of three for 24.
-
News
James Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
News
Alex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
News
Angelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.
-
News
Shubman Gill learned backfoot game with ‘1500 short balls every day’
Shubman Gill impressed with his technique against short-pitch bowling, and his father has said he honed those skills during practice.
-
News
Sri Lanka steady ship after James Anderson takes three wickets in Galle
The home side reached 155 for three at tea, with England’s record wicket-taker responsible for all three dismissals.
-
News
CSA confident Australia tour will go ahead
CSA is confident the scheduled Australia tour to the country will take place despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa
-
News
James Anderson at the double on day one in Galle
Sri Lanka may have feared a repeat of their dismal 135 all out from last week.
-
News
Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer return to spearhead England’s tour of India
Jos Buttler will return home after the first Test as England seek to keep players fresh, while Ollie Pope will return when fit.
-
News
World Test Championship: Which countries are in the running for Lord’s final
The ICC World Test Championship final is set to be held at Lord’s in June, completing a two-year cycle of the inaugural tournament.