England captain Ben Stokes suffered an harm scare on a dispiriting third day of the third Take a look at towards New Zealand, pressured from the sector clutching his hamstring.
The sport was disappearing from the touring aspect’s grasp – a century from Kane Willamson easing the Black Caps lead as much as 478 at tea – however with the sequence already secured, Stokes’ health was the largest fear.
He retreated to the dressing room two balls into his thirteenth over of the innings – his thirty seventh of the match – transferring beneath his personal steam however in clear discomfort.
Not Returning
A group spokesperson stated: “(Stokes) is presently receiving therapy for a left hamstring concern. He won’t return to the sector on this innings and can bear additional evaluation to find out his availability to bat in England’s second innings.”
Stokes badly tore his left hamstring taking part in in The Hundred in August and missed 4 consecutive Take a look at matches earlier than being handed match once more.
He had spent a lot of the earlier 18 months managing his bowling workload as a result of long-standing knee issues, finally opting to bear surgical procedure in a bid to revive him to full health.
Now 33, Stokes has spoken on the New Zealand tour about his happiness at having the ability to play a full function with the ball as soon as once more. He has taken seven wickets within the sequence, contributing 66 overs to the trigger.
White Ball Future
England don’t play one other Take a look at till Might, however there should now be severe questions over his white-ball future.
The Champions Trophy is because of get beneath means in February and Stokes has been coy about whether or not he could possibly be tempted into the fold to be a part of the brand new regime led by his Take a look at head coach Brendon McCullum.
That will now appear like too huge a threat with a giant 12 months of red-ball cricket forward, capped by an Ashes tour subsequent winter.
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson celebrates after reaching a century (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport/AP)
Whether or not or not Stokes is match to bat, England will likely be going through a record-breaking goal.
New Zealand moved to 274 for 4 at tea after a washed out first session with Williamson’s unbeaten 123 on the centre.
He was not at his most fluent, surviving an in depth lbw shout from Brydon Carse on 73, a troublesome likelihood off the glove of Stokes on 86 and a nick that wrongfooted Harry Brook at slip.
However he is aware of how one can get the job accomplished at this floor, having now scored seven of his 33 Take a look at lots of right here.
He moved to 3 figures together with his cleanest blow of the day, a protracted, flowing six off Jacob Bethell, the teenager referred to as into the assault to complete Stokes’ over following his surprising exit.
Rachin Ravindra was the one wicket to fall within the afternoon session, spooning Matthew Potts to mid-off after a painfully sluggish begin. He had simply seven runs from his first 50 balls however lastly picked up the tempo to put up 44.
