England Lose Ben Stokes to Shoulder Injury Ahead of Final India Test

England will have to do without their talisman Ben Stokes in the final Test of the summer against India at The Oval, after scans confirmed the all-rounder has suffered a grade-three muscle tear in his right shoulder. The injury, picked up during the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, is set to sideline him for at least six to seven weeks.

It’s a bitter blow for England, considering Stokes has been the standout performer in the series. He scored 304 runs across the four matches, including a superb century in Manchester, and topped the bowling charts with 17 wickets at an average of 25.24. His match-winning efforts earned him the Player of the Match award in both the third and fourth Tests, underlining just how crucial he has been. 

A grade-three tear is among the most severe muscle injuries, and though the general recovery timeline can range from six to 10 weeks, England’s medical staff are optimistic Stokes should be back within seven. That would still give him enough time to prepare for the Ashes in Australia later this year, which begin in just over 14 weeks. 

Speaking about the decision to miss the Oval Test, Stokes explained: “We took as long as we could to make the decision. I came down (to the Oval) this morning to give myself every chance just to play as a batter – bowling was ruled out as soon as we got the scan results. It’s one of those where weighing up the risk and reward, the risk was way too high. Hearing where it could head to, it wasn’t something that was worth taking a risk on. I wouldn’t expect to put any of my players at risk of an injury like this. So I’ll start rehabbing now and focus on what we’ve got coming up in the winter.” 

While England won’t play another Test until the Ashes, Stokes’s absence for the series finale leaves a sizeable hole to fill. Ollie Pope will captain the side in his place, while Chris Woakes is the only specialist bowler to retain his spot from Manchester. Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Liam Dawson all drop out, with Archer rested. England’s selectors have turned to a fresh pace attack, calling up Surrey duo Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton, along with Worcestershire quick Josh Tongue. Jacob Bethell comes into the side to bat at No. 6 and, alongside Joe Root, will offer spin options. 

It’s a very different-looking England XI heading into the decider at The Oval, but all eyes will remain on Stokes’s recovery. With the Ashes looming large, England will be hoping their captain can shake off this setback and be fully fit for what promises to be a defining series later in the year. 

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