Home
England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 due to a shoulder injury. In his absence, Ollie Pope will take up the captaincy duties at The Kennington Oval, London. Stokes is disappointed to miss out on playing the fifth Test but he feels the risk was too high. He revealed that he will start rehabbing and focus on the Ashes 2025.
"I'm obviously disappointed. I've got the decent tear in the right shoulder in the muscles I can't pronounce. I came down here this morning trying to find ways just to contribute to the batting," Stokes said in a statement.
"After discussions with the medical team, it was decided. The risk was way to much high. I wouldn't have expected anyone else in my place to risk this as well. I'll start rehabbing now and start to focus on what we have coming up in the winter."
Stokes - 'The Player of the match'
England are currently leading the series 2-1. Stokes battled a cramp in hamstring and issues in his bicep tendon during the Manchester Test. First, he bagged a five-wicket haul and then scored 141 runs from 198 balls. He took the wicket of opener KL Rahul on Day 5 but could not lead his side to a win in the fourth Test as it ended in a draw.
Stokes' workload and statistics in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
Currently, he is the leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 wickets from four Tests at an average of 25.25, including one fifer. He bowled a total of 140 overs in the series. With the bat, he has 304 runs from seven innings at an average of 43.43.
Other changes in England Playing XI
In addition to Stokes, three other players have been rested as well. Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have been rested as well. Young Jacbo Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue have walked in to the playing XI.
England Playing XI for 5th Test -
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue.
ADVERTISEMENT
