LONDON — England vice-captain Ollie Pope says the team will keep their "fingers crossed" after Ben Stokes struggled with a knee injury on the first day of the third Test against India at Lord’s. The England captain appeared in visible discomfort during his brief spell with the ball, raising concerns over his fitness for the remainder of the series.
Stokes, who has been managing a chronic left knee issue for over a year, bowled just five overs on Thursday before leaving the field for treatment. His absence was felt as India built a strong position, finishing the day at 326/5. Pope admitted the team is "hoping it’s nothing serious" but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Stokes' condition ahead of Friday’s play.
Stokes' Injury Woes Deepen
The 32-year-old all-rounder has been pivotal to England’s aggressive 'Bazball' approach under coach Brendon McCullum. However, his persistent knee problems have limited his bowling contributions since last summer. Stokes underwent surgery in November 2022 but has continued to experience flare-ups, including during the Ashes series last year.
Pope provided some context after stumps: "He’s been managing it brilliantly, but today it just seemed to stiffen up after those first few overs. We all know how tough he is—if there’s any chance he can bowl tomorrow, he’ll be out there." England’s medical staff are reportedly assessing whether Stokes can bowl again in this Test, with scans a possibility if the pain persists.
India Capitalize on England’s Struggles
India’s batters took full advantage of Stokes’ limited mobility, with openers Rohit Sharma (83) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (62) putting on 135 for the first wicket. Pope conceded: "Losing Stokes as a bowling option hurt our plans, especially with the pitch offering less movement than expected."
Key moments where Stokes’ absence proved costly:
- India’s middle order capitalized on England’s depleted attack, with Virat Kohli scoring a fluent 78*
- Part-time bowler Joe Root (1/48) had to bowl 14 overs, disrupting England’s usual balance
- The hosts missed Stokes’ knack for breaking partnerships—his Test bowling average (32.07) is significantly better than his career mark in England (28.85)
Medical Team’s Dilemma
England’s physios face a delicate balancing act. With the five-Test series level at 1-1 and two matches remaining after Lord’s, risking Stokes could have long-term consequences. Former England captain Michael Vaughan noted on BBC Test Match Special: "This isn’t just about this Test—it’s about whether Stokes can lead the team through the summer. If he aggravates it now, the World Test Championship becomes a concern too."
Potential scenarios for England:
- Stokes bowls sparingly as a partnership-breaker with heavy strapping
- England use him purely as a batter and rely on Root/others for part-time overs
- Worst case: He joins Jack Leach (back stress fracture) on the injured list
Historical Context
This isn’t the first time Stokes has played through pain. In the 2019 Ashes, he famously bowled a heroic spell at Headingley despite a torn right glute. However, as former England physio Ben Langley warned: "Chronic knee issues at his age are degenerative—you can only push through so many times before the body says no."
Statistics underscore Stokes’ value when fit:
- In Tests where he bowls 10+ overs, England’s win percentage jumps from 42% to 58%
- His batting average rises from 35 to 41 when he contributes with the ball
- England haven’t won any of the last 4 Tests where Stokes didn’t bowl
Looking Ahead
With rain forecast for Day 2, England may get extra recovery time. Coach McCullum has previously stated they’ll "never risk a player’s long-term health," but Stokes’ competitive nature often overrides caution. As Pope summarized: "We’ll assess him in the morning. Knowing Ben, he’ll want to be in the thick of it—but we have to be smart."