Ben Stokes could play as specialist batsman for England against Windies as he battles heel injury
Written by News on 08/02/2019
Ben Stokes could play as a specialist batsman for England in the third Test against Windies in St Lucia as he battles a bruised heel.
Stokes missed the tourists’ practice session on Thursday but will train on Friday before England make a call on his status for the Gros Islet Test.
Joe Root’s side will be seeking to avoid a series whitewash when the match gets underway on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1.30pm, following their heavy defeats in Barbados and Antigua.
Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has been passed fit despite still braving a bruised hand – the Surrey man suffered the knock while batting in England’s first innings in Antigua with Jonny Bairstow taking the gloves.
Mark Wood could inject some pace into the bowling attack but a knee injury has dashed Chris Woakes’ hopes of a first appearance of the series.
Kraigg Brathwaite will captain Windies with regular skipper Jason Holder handed a one-game ban for his team’s slow over rate during their 10-wicket, series-sealing victory at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium last week.
Watch the third Test between Windies and England, at Gros Islet in St Lucia, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1.30pm on Saturday.You can also follow over-by-over commentary and in-play clips on our rolling blog on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app.
(c) Sky News 2019: Ben Stokes could play as specialist batsman for England against Windies as he battles heel injury
