Stokes to miss series as England seek cover
Ben Stokes will miss the rest of England’s series against Pakistan for family reasons.
The all-rounder is set to fly to Christchurch in New Zealand, where his parents live.
“Stokes will leave the UK later this week and travel to New Zealand,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement. “He will miss England’s two Test matches against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl [starting] on Thursday, August 13, and Friday, August 21.”
Stokes had played all four of the bio-secure Test matches this summer, including captaining England’s Test side for the first time, against West Indies.
He is understood to have informed his teammates of his decision to leave the squad after they completed their three-wicket win over Pakistan at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Last winter, his father Ged was hospitalised with a serious illness.
As far as the England team is concerned, they have a few decisions to make as Stokes occupied an important position in the batting and bowling line-ups.
England’s primary concern will be in batting as Stokes played the last two matches as a batsman due to his recent thigh issues.
Zak Crawley could be the one to make the cut as he was left out to balance the team following Stokes’ reduced bowling capacity.
England could also choose to play Jos Buttler as a specialist batsman and bring in wicketkeeper Ben Foakes to take the gloves. However, captain Joe Root seems unlikely to make that call.