Stokes's Injury Cloud A Worry For England In Lord's Clash With India

England will head into the second day of the third Test against India at Lord#39;s with fresh doubts over the fitness of inspirational captain Ben Stokes.

The skipper pulled up with what appeared to be a groin issue late on Thursday#39;s opening day, with Stokes receiving on-field treatment before he batted on until the close.

England were 251-4 at stumps, with Joe Root 99 not out and Stokes, who won the toss, unbeaten on 39.

The 34-year-old Stokes#39;s career has been blighted by injuries, with a longstanding knee problem requiring an operation in 2023, while the all-rounder has suffered two serious hamstring tears during the past eight months.

In an encouraging development for the side, Stokes has been able to operate as a fully fledged all-rounder in recent games after his fitness issues restricted his impact as a lively seamer.

But such is his importance to the balance of the team, with England currently 1-1 in a marquee series at home against India as they build towards a showpiece Ashes tour of Australia, that team chiefs will hope Thursday#39;s incident is merely a minor problem.

Fingers crossed it#39;s nothing too serious and he can do something magic and come back strong, said England vice-captain Ollie Pope. We#39;ll see how he pulls up tomorrow (Friday).

We#39;ve got a big Test over the next four days and we#39;ve got a big two coming up after that so it#39;s important to try and manage him.

That#39;s one of my roles, to make sure he doesn#39;t push himself to a ridiculous place with whatever he#39;s dealing with at the moment.

I#39;m sure the physios and medics will work with him to lay out a plan and I#39;ll help push him in the right direction, added Pope, who made 44 on Thursday.

Play ended with Root just one run shy of his 37th Test hundred and a record-extending eighth such century at Lord#39;s.

Pope, however, does not expect the star batsman to suffer too many nerves overnight.

Obviously he#39;d have loved to have a hundred red (not out), but he#39;s got 36 of them, so I don#39;t think he#39;ll be too sleepless, said Pope. He#39;ll get his head down.

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It would have been nice to see him get it tonight but he#39;ll be looking at the bigger picture and trying to make it a monster innings. Hopefully we can kick on and get 400, towards 500.