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Ben Stokes: England man 'devastated' to miss Sri Lanka series

Last updated on .From the section Cricketcomments40

Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes' knee injury means he will miss out on playing a first Test on his home ground of Chester-le-Street
England v Sri Lanka, second Investec Test
Venue: Chester-le-Street Dates: 27-31 May
Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW, online, tablets, mobiles and BBC Sport app. Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes says he is "devastated" to miss the rest of the series against Sri Lanka after undergoing knee surgery.

Stokes, 24, injured his left knee while bowling in the first-Test victory and has been ruled out for six weeks.

He suffered a cartilage tear that he says has beenexternal-link "an ongoing issue for two to three years" but which he has "managed to play through until now".

Bowlers Reece Topley, David Willey and Mark Wood also remain sidelined.

Topley will miss the next three months with a stress fracture in the spine, Willey should return next month following an abdominal muscle tear and Wood will begin bowling again this week after ankle surgery.

Stokes will miss the remaining two Tests, five one day internationals and T20 international against Sri Lanka, but aims to return to the England side in time to face Pakistan later this summer.

Warwickshire bowler Chris Woakes was named as his replacement in the current squad on Monday and celebrated his call-up with career-best figures of 9-36 against Durham.

Woakes will vie with pace bowler Jake Ball, who is yet to make his debut, for a place in the XI for Friday's match at Chester-le-Street.

England will win the three-Test series with victory at Stokes' home ground.

England squad for second Test v Sri Lanka: Cook (c), Hales, Compton, Root, Vince, Bairstow (wk), Moeen, Broad, Finn, Anderson, Woakes, Ball.

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40 comments

  • Comment posted by Dobby, at 07:45 26 May 2016

    @3 Michael 182
    "Good riddance, a charmless, bad tempered,arrogant cricketer who cost us the t20 World Cup"

    Ben Stokes will be back from this unfortunate injury and will eventually be one of the all time greats of test cricket. To say that he cost us t20 is both ungracious to him and rude to the West Indies who deserved their win in that tinpot form of the game. Stokes will be missed.

  • Comment posted by arfajob01, at 13:17 25 May 2016

    Need to get the likes of Stokes, Woakes, Finn into a Test side together when all fit.

    The thought of not having Jimmy too much longer worries me

  • Comment posted by User0070140296, at 16:58 25 May 2016

    Big match for Compton and Ali. Problem is, you wonder when it won't be a big match for Compton and Ali. They will always be seen as 'as we haven't got anyone better' selections sadly. I would advocate letting Mo bat at 6 (despite Jonny's great form) and asking him to bat like he can, rather than just champagne slogging at no. 8. He'll hardly get a bowl at the Riverside.

  • Comment posted by Peekay, at 06:47 26 May 2016

    He is a loss to the team and fans, but England are so strong that his absence won't affect England's strength. SL fan here!

  • Comment posted by User0302385138, at 14:25 25 May 2016

    Bad luck for Stokes...good luck for Woakes! It has a kind of symmetry but it's just the game. Let's hope that Stokes recovers quickly.

    Perhaps also time to reflect on the terrible toll that fast bowling can take on the body! You worry about these guys being able to walk when they're 40!

  • Comment posted by TheBear, at 19:37 27 May 2016

    Bit of pride swallowing in order here. Ian Bell is ten times better than Compton and Cook must know it. Do the right thing Alistair.

  • Comment posted by User0821734899, at 14:03 26 May 2016

    Stokes had one bad over in the world cup - it doesn't make him a bad player. Stuart Broad once got clouted for six sixes in an over, and he's now rapidly becoming one of the all-time greats . As for Stokes' attitude, he's just extremely competitive and unlucky enough to be living in an age where, thanks to modern technology, sportsmen and women are under the microscope as never before.

  • Comment posted by Bobby Smith, at 19:27 26 May 2016

    Fingers crossed for Woakes tomorrow, as his first class stats prove him to be a top class cricketer. His previous tests, by the way, have seen him bowling against India, Australia and South Africa. Wouldn't anyone struggle via that introduction? Give him the ball after only 6 overs and he will rip through this weak Sri Lanka team, thereby boosting his confidence for harder opposition.

  • Comment posted by User0172498943, at 13:40 25 May 2016

    Not great fan of Stokes as test match player, he lacks batting discipline and bowls best in short bursts. Don't think Ali should be in team either as either spinner or batsman. Bairstow is much better keeper than Buttler or Billings and superior test batsman. Would include Ball before Woakes but both could play instead of Finn. Compton must also be last chance must be better young prospects.

  • Comment posted by twinbob2, at 18:05 26 May 2016

    Choosing Chris Woakes is an excellent move but he is not as good as Stokes. I wish him well.

  • Comment posted by Wackford Squeers, at 09:52 27 May 2016

    5. Posted by arfajob01
    on 25 May 2016 12:17

    Need to get the likes of Stokes, Woakes, Finn into a Test side together when all fit.

    The thought of not having Jimmy too much longer worries me

    ------------------

    Don't forget Mark Wood, a genuine fast bowler.

  • Comment posted by D1710523604056, at 16:59 26 May 2016

    23. Posted by ukfurrie
    I disagree with you I believe Ben Stokes could make the team as either a specialist (lower order) batsman or as bowler. However he does need to become more consistent and 'mature' his game, all will come in good time.

  • Comment posted by User0090448613, at 18:43 25 May 2016

    Moeen looks at best a average spinner, yet he has an uncanny knack of getting people out and often a good batsman out, plus he does wade in with some very handy runs with the tail, Rashid should of been in the side several years ago but they needed Moeens runs to prop up the batting and the time is passing for him now.

  • Comment posted by Perton66, at 14:42 26 May 2016

    It appears that Woakes is now in the side. A poor move.The selectors are guilty of being cautious. Woakes has consistently failed to shine in the test arena and if England are looking to the future then they must play Ball. Anderson can't go on for ever and England should have an eye on the next few years rather than the immediate future. Ball represents a bold selection but the right one.

  • Comment posted by mrnoneofyourbusiness, at 10:43 26 May 2016

    Compton is under enormous pressure in my opinion and there's a feeling that he doesn't cope well under pressure. No doubt Chester-le-Street will be just as difficult for batting as Headingley was and that won't help him either. I think he needs a couple of decent scores ( 40+ ) in these two remaining Tests or his international career will be over.

  • Comment posted by Rugby born and bred, at 14:26 27 May 2016

    Woakes in a great replacement for Stokes, and in some conditions a better option.

    Selectors have to give up on Compton, isn't, never has been, never will be a test player.

  • Comment posted by davidjm, at 16:37 27 May 2016

    We have a long tail with Ali coming in at 7

  • Comment posted by D1710523604056, at 21:06 26 May 2016

    28. Posted by zyder
    Totally agree with James Hildreth I'm surprised his name has never been mentioned, at 31 he may be 'past it' in regards to an England call up.

  • Comment posted by zyder, at 19:47 26 May 2016

    Wakes deserves his chance based on form. James HIldreth too!!!

  • Comment posted by D1710523604056, at 21:22 26 May 2016

    I'm really puzzled why Moeen Ali is not under more pressure for his place, he is not a good enough test batsman and has been in bad form since his honeymoon period ended. He's picked as a spinner as the least worst spinner we have, a true jack of all trades master of none.