Ben Stokes has received a seemingly positive update regarding the knock suffered on the first day of the third Test with Pakistan in Sharjah, with England confirming the all-rounder has suffered a “collar bone joint” injury.
Stokes fell heavily in the field while attempting a diving catch at square leg, and it was initially feared that he had suffered a dislocated right shoulder to his bowling arm. The recovery time for such an injury would almost certainly have ruled him out of December’s tour to South Africa, with the first Test starting on Boxing Day in just six weeks’ time.
However, scans undergone on Monday afternoon in Dubai – and sent to a specialist back in the UK overnight – have shown the all-rounder’s problem in fact relates to the collar bone area and appears a less severe injury from which to return.
Despite this latest update, a full prognosis for the 24-year-old’s rehabilitation time is still to be given and, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board, this could take another seven to 10 days to be determined and made public.
An ECB spokesperson said: “Imaging confirms Stokes has a collar bone joint injury. It has already been decided he will be unable to bowl or field for the remainder of this Test match but if circumstances dictate he may bat. His injury will be reviewed in 7-10 days once it has had a chance to settle. A decision about his return to play will be taken at this time.”
Stokes had already been ruled out of bowling for the remainder of the ongoing Sharjah Test and while fielding has now also been discounted, he emerged to bat at No11 at the end of England’s first innings following throwdowns during the lunch interval.
The left-hander came to the crease at 12.50pm to standing ovation from the travelling support and survived nine balls – including six from fast bowler Wahab Riaz – before being bowled by the spinner Shoaib Malik for a duck. His 10th-wicket stand with Stuart Broad did reap 10 runs however, with England posting 306 all out for a first innings lead of 72.
