England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick has cast uncertainty over Ben Stokes' ability to contribute with the ball on the final day of the fourth Test against India in Manchester.
With England’s pace attack failing to pose consistent threats and missing a caught chance off Brydon Carse the absence of Stokes’ incisive bowling was felt more keenly.
"He's a bit stiff and sore," Trescothick said when asked if Stokes would be available to bowl on Day 5. "He's had quite a big workload in the last few weeks, and then batting in the first innings, he was getting quite a bit of cramp. We are hoping that with another night's rest and a bit more physio work overnight, he'll be back and doing a bit tomorrow."
Ben Stokes injury concern
Stokes was also seen clutching his hamstring while fielding on Saturday, further fuelling injury concerns. However, Trescothick sought to downplay the incident.
"It's just a build-up," he added. "It's just such a heavy workload, from where he's been to what he's doing. It's just trying to monitor it, and obviously the cramp that he was getting yesterday, you have that little bit of worry… We'll see what he's like tomorrow."
Ben Stokes England's star performer
The England skipper, who has played a pivotal role in the series with the ball including a five-wicket haul in the first innings was noticeably absent from the bowling attack on Day 4 due to physical discomfort.
Stokes, the leading wicket-taker in the series, has already bowled more than 120 overs in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a career-high workload in a single series since returning from hamstring surgery in January. On Day 3 at Old Trafford, he had briefly retired hurt while batting but later returned to score a resilient century, temporarily easing concerns about his fitness.
Can India save Manchester Test ?
After Chris Woakes rocked India early by removing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in the opening over, the visitors recovered strongly thanks to a determined 174-run unbeaten partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill.
With the series on the line and India mounting a serious comeback, Stokes’ potential absence from the bowling attack on Day 5 could be a critical blow for England.
