England will enter Day two of the second Test against India a bit worried as skipper Ben Stokes was spotted getting treatment on what looked like his groin on Day one of the Lord's Test. The southpaw was seen receiving treatment on-field before he batted until the end of the day's play. England ended the day's play at 254-4, with Joe Root batting 0n 99 not out and Stokes unbeaten on 39.
The veteran has been battling with a fair share of injuries, with a longstanding knee injury that required an operation in 2023. The southpaw has also undergone two serious hamstring tears during the past year. In the two Tests played in the ongoing five-match Test series against India, the all-rounder has bowled a lot, which is giving England a massive balance.
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If the latest groin issue required Ben Stokes to not operate as a bowler, then it would be a massive loss for the hosts, as the balance would no longer be available. With Ashes also scheduled in the later part of the year, England would be hoping the skipper's injury is a minor one.
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Ollie Pope confident of Ben Stokes recovering from a minor injury
"Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious, and he can do something magic and come back strong," said England vice-captain Ollie Pope. "We'll see how he pulls up tomorrow (Friday).
"We've got a big Test over the next four days, and we've got a big two coming up after that so it's important to try and manage him.
"That's one of my roles, to make sure he doesn't push himself to a ridiculous place with whatever he's dealing with at the moment.
"I'm sure the physios and medics will work with him to lay out a plan, and I'll help push him in the right direction," added Pope, who made 44 on Thursday.
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England are currently in the driver's seat as they have lost just four wickets. Also, their premier batter Root, is unbeaten on 99 and is just one shy of his 37th Test hundred and a record eight-ton at Lord's Stadium. Pope is saying Root is not nervous on 99 and is not thinking about the hundred.
"He'd have loved to have a hundred red (not out), but he's got 36 of them, so I don't think he'll be too sleepless," said Pope. "He'll get his head down.
"It would have been nice to see him get it tonight, but he'll be looking at the bigger picture and trying to make it a monster innings. Hopefully, we can kick on and get 400, towards 500."
