England’s wretched tour of Australia could get even worse leading into the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart, with experienced trio Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow all under injury clouds for the series finale.
A left index finger injury to Buttler suffered early in the Sydney Test left him unable to keep wicket on day four, with Bairstow also not fielding after copping a blow to the thumb from Pat Cummins during his bloody-minded century in England’s first innings.
The dual blows saw substitute Ollie Pope take the gloves for Australia’s second innings, who pouched three early catches, including an excellent take off spinner Jack Leach to remove Marcus Harris. Backup bowler Craig Overton is England’s other replacement fielder.
Stokes continues to battle a side strain suffered on day two of the Test, with the all-rounder unable to bowl and noticeably proppy in the field and during his batting innings.
English newspaper The Mirror reports that Stokes has refused scans on his side as he remains determined to see out the game. However, he is reportedly all but certain to miss the fifth Test due to the injury.
Bairstow appears to be the most likely of the trio to remain in the team in Hobart, having played through the pain to score an emotional century in the final over of day three.
Ben Stokes leaves the ground with an injury during day two of the fourth Test. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
He had scans on his injured thumb overnight before being cleared to bat on, reaching 113 before being caught behind off Scott Boland.
“Ultimately you’re out there playing in an Ashes Test match, an Ashes New Year’s Test match on pink day at Sydney in front of a crowd,” he said after play on day three.
“It’s going to take a lot to get you away from that.”
Bairstow has previously been a regular wicketkeeper for England at Test level; while fellow gloveman Sam Billings has been called up to the Test squad as cover and Pope remains another option to replace Buttler should he be ruled out.
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