England will be sweating on the fitness of Ben Stokes after the captain and all-rounder suffered an adductor injury on day four of the fifth Ashes Test match in Sydney.
Stokes walked off injured in the middle of his 28th over of Australia’s innings, with the England camp confirming the skipper was dealing with an adductor concern.
He returned briefly with bat in hand, walking out to bat at No.8, though added just one before he was dismissed by Beau Webster, with Steve Smith taking a sharp reflex catch to his left at first slip.
Jacob Bethell has led England’s second innings response, reaching his maiden Test century (and his first in in first-class cricket), though the tourists have fallen away in their afternoon efforts, slumping to seven wickets down with a lead of under 100.
Down 3-1 in the series, the tourists’ visit has been hampered by a number of injuries, with Stokes joining Gus Atkinson (hamstring), Jofra Archer (side strain) and Mark Wood (knee) as stricken fast bowlers on the tour.
Ashes schedule:
First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-22 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-7 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21 (Australia won by 82 runs)
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30 (England won by 4 wickets)
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8
Source: https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/stokes-injury-blow-in-further-ashes-blow
