NZ vs ENG: Injury scare for England as captain Ben Stokes limps off the field during 3rd test

Ben Stokes left the field clutching his left hamstring.

England’s problems in Hamilton have deepened with their captain Ben Stokes’ latest hamstring injury. Coming off from a poor batting display, England now face the added disadvantage of potentially losing their captain in the last game of the test series.

The visitors have been poor in Seddon Park. Responding to New Zealand‘s first innings total of 347, England’s batting lineup crumbled to post just 143. England’s struggles with the ball have continued in the second innings, as the hosts have surged their lead past 550-run mark.

Star batter Kane Williamson has been the star of the show for the hosts bringing up his 33rd test century. He received valuable support from Will Young and Rachin Ravindra, who both contributed with solid knocks of 40 and 44, respectively.

As if the on-field struggles weren’t enough, Ben Stokes’ injury has further compounded England’s woes.

Ben Stokes limps off the field in Hamilton

Ben Stokes suffered a left hamstring injury while bowling on Day 3. Stokes was into his second delivery of the 56th over in New Zealand’s second innings when he pulled out in visible discomfort. The England captain immediately clutched his left hamstring and limped off the field.

This is not the first time Stokes has dealt with a hamstring issue this year. He tore the same hamstring in August while playing for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, which sidelined him for two months.

He returned to international cricket during England’s test series against Pakistan. The recurrence of the hamstring injury will spark discussions about his workload management and future is test cricket.

NZ vs ENG 3rd test teams:

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryll Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee and William O’Rourke.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts and Shoaib Bashir.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.