England all-rounder Ben Stokes misses third Test against Pakistan

Steven Finn is in contention for a quick return to the England team after Ben Stokes was ruled out of next week’s third Investec Test at Edgbaston because of a torn right calf.

England set their sights on a series-leveling victory after dismissing Pakistan for 198 and taking a monumental 391-run first innings lead on a rain-interrupted third day of the second test on Sunday.

Even though the England and Wales Cricket Board revealed that Stokes will be accessed next week, he is expected to miss the rest of the summer considering the recovery time for a calf tear is likely to take six weeks.

With the bowlers refreshed having had their feet up while Cook batted, England’s leader of the attack Jimmy Anderson backed-up his skipper’s decision by knocking over two wickets early in Pakistan’s second innings.

However, the fact that England will let their medical staff have an extended look at Stokes next Monday with a view to them providing more accurate rehabilitation timings suggests they are hopeful that he can recover quickly.

Pakistan won the first match in the four-Test series by 75 runs at Lord’s. Ball, who made his debut against Pakistan at Lord’s, or Finn, who took eight wickets on his comeback at Edgbaston previous year, would provide a fourth seam-bowling option, while Rashid could play his first home Test if the pitch looks likely to turn.

“This is a big disappointment for us”, said Misbah.

“I’d like to see people given a little bit more of an extra go rather than one (game)”.

Cook’s opposite number Misbah-ul-Haq had to reflect on a reversal of fortune, after the highs of Lord’s for Pakistan. “Near 600 it’s really hard to come back”, Misbah said.

Pakistan were now 71 for five, their total at the rain break. “Yes, he’s a big player for us – he adds a lot of spark to the team”, he told reporters.

The sight of a grimacing Stokes slowly walking off the field in Manchester suggested that, at the very least, the Durham star would struggle to be fit for the third Test at Birmingham s Edgbaston ground which gets underway a week on Wednesday.

But if the scan is a good one then we can start treating him.