Double trouble for England

AFP, LONDON: England all-rounder Ben Stokes had knee surgery on Tuesday, while fellow international Reece Topley learnt he will be sidelined for three months with a partial stress fracture.
Stokes suffered a cartilage tear in his left knee during England’s crushing Test victory against Sri Lanka last week at Headingley.
He had already said that he expects to miss the remainder of Sri Lanka’s tour, but the England and Wales Cricket Board have not offered any prognosis following his operation.
Stokes is unlikely to be seen again until the start of the Pakistan series in July, though England are not yet committing to a timescale.
The 24-year-old admitted it was a huge blow to be sidelined while England are in action, although he planned to watch his team-mates in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Durham this week.
“Devastated to be missing the rest of the series, this has been a ongoing issue for 2/3 years which I’ve managed to play through until now,” Stokes tweeted.
“All the best to the lads in the rest of the series, see you down at Durham in the crowd.”
In Stokes’ absence, Warwickshire’s Chris Woakes, who took nine wickets on Monday to celebrate his call-up for the second Test against Sri Lanka, and the uncapped Jake Ball will have the chance to impress.

Double trouble for England

AFP, LONDON: England all-rounder Ben Stokes had knee surgery on Tuesday, while fellow international Reece Topley learnt he will be sidelined for three months with a partial stress fracture. Stokes suffered a cartilage tear in his left knee during Englands crushing Test victory against Sri Lanka last week at Headingley. He had already said that he expects to miss the remainder of Sri Lankas tour, but the England and Wales Cricket Board have not offered any prognosis following his operation. Stokes is unlikely to be seen again until the start of the Pakistan series in July, though England are not yet committing to a timescale. The 24-year-old admitted it was a huge blow to be sidelined while England are in action, although he planned to watch his team-mates in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Durham this week. Devastated to be missing the rest of the series, this has been a ongoing issue for 2/3 years which Ive managed to play through until now, Stokes tweeted. All the best to the lads in the rest of the series, see you down at Durham in the crowd. In Stokes absence, Warwickshires Chris Woakes, who took nine wickets on Monday to celebrate his call-up for the second Test against Sri Lanka, and the uncapped Jake Ball will have the chance to impress.