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In what can only be called a blow of sorts for the hosts England in the current and ongoing third Test of the series at Lord's in London, the team are concerned about their captain Ben Stokes ahead of the important day two in the match. For much of the opening day of the contest against India, captain Stokes held onto an end with an unbeaten score of 39 that came off 102 deliveries in a patient stay at the wicket that didn't feature the usual aggressive and dashing strokeplay. All of this while he felt uncomfortable in the groin area and resultantly, found it difficult to run between the wickets during the third session with his injury issue.
While England recovered well after losing out both openers in the form of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley without too many runs on the board, their famous middle order comprising Joe Root and later, Ben Stokes held firm to lead a fighting comback; the team would end day one on 251 for 4.
Fingers crossed he can do something magic and come back strong: Ollie Pope on Ben Stokes' injury
While the hosts see their best batsman in the form of former captain Root unbeaten on 99 and hence, approaching yet another deserving century, there's concern, according to a latest BBC news report, on the injury status of Ben Stokes, for which he was treated on the field before continuing on. Finding it difficult to run for too many runs out in the middle on the opening day, the team are hopeful of their captain to continue his march on the second day as India will hope for more breakthroughs to make it hard for their opponents.
Meanwhile, BBC's news story concering Stokes' injury quoted Ollie Pope, out for 44, expressing his thoughts about his captain, "Fingers crossed he can do something magic and come back strong. Clearly we've got a big Test over the next four days and a big two coming up. It's important to try to manage him, and we'll see how he pulls up tomorrow."
Should Stokes continue to bat and feel better in his groin area, it could spell trouble for India but should he sit out in this innings, India will feel their chances in this contest. It's as simple as that.
