ENG vs IND 2018: Ben Stokes Misses Out As England Announce Squad For Third Test

Ben Stokes will miss the third England vs India Test too due to the ongoing trial as England, on Monday named an unchanged 13-man squad for the upcoming game.

The England and Wales Cricket board confirmed they they make an assessment of Stokes’s availability after the conclusion of the trial in Bristol. Stokes missed the second Test at Lord’s this week due to his appearance at Bristol Crown Court. And with the verdict yet to come out, he could not make it to the squad for the third game too.

The trial entered its sixth day on Monday morning. It is in its final stage now. The jury is likely to retire overnight to consider their verdict in a case that involves one other co-defendant, Ryan Ali. A third defendant, Ryan Hale, has already been acquitted due to a lack of evidence.

Meanwhile, even if Stokes is cleared, he is unlikely to return to action soon as ECB’s Cricket Disciplinary Commission (CDC) is due to meet within 48 hours of the verdict, to consider what sanctions – if any – should be directed at the allrounder and his teammate, Alex Hales for their role in the fracas outside Mbargo nightclub in the wake of their ODI victory in Bristol on September 24. Hales was not on trial.

Reports in England suggest that Stokes might miss the entire series against India.

Coming to the squad, England have retained Jamie Porter and Moeen Ali alongside the 11 men who thrashed India by an innings-and-159-run at Lord’s. England did not miss Stokes much as his replacement Chris Woakes starred with both bat and ball. Woakes was named Man of the Match for his maiden Test century and four wickets across two innings.

The third Test will get underway at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

England’s 13-man squad:

Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (w), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes, Jamie Porter.