Ben Stokes: England Test captain to miss Sri Lanka series after hamstring tear

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it will not be adding anyone to the squad for the Sri Lanka series.

Opener Zak Crawley has already been ruled out of the series because of a broken finger, with Dan Lawrence set to partner Ben Duckett at the top of the order.

Uncapped fast bowler Dillon Pennington, who was an unused part of the squad for the West Indies series, will miss the Sri Lanka Tests after also sustaining a hamstring injury playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

Essex batter Jordan Cox was called up to the Test squad for the first time, while Nottinghamshire fast bowler Olly Stone has been recalled.

England now face a decision over how to replace Stokes, who usually bats at number six, in the team.

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith could move up a position, with Chris Woakes playing as an all-rounder and batting at seven, followed by three other pace bowlers and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.

Alternatively, Cox could make his debut batting at six, with part-time spinners Lawrence and Root supporting four frontline bowlers.

Meanwhile, Stokes has been replaced by Australian Ben Dwarshuis for the Superchargers’ final group match against London Spirit on Tuesday and any potential knockout games.

Pope has been rested for what would have been final game for Spirit because of “England workload management”, with Tom Prest replacing him.