Ben Stokes is pictured on crutches after the England captain suffered serious-looking hamstring injury playing in the Hundred – with first Test against Sri Lanka just nine days away

Ben Stokes has been pictured on crutches after sustaining an injury while playing in the Hundred, which has put his participation in England’s first Test against Sri Lanka later this month in doubt. 

The England captain left the field in agony at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday as his Northern Superchargers battled against Manchester Originals, The 33-year-old, who has been on a run of 26-game run for the Test side since becoming skipper in 2022, pulled up after haring through for a leg bye from the 12th ball of the match’s second innings. 

Stokes collapsed to the ground, holding the back of the left knee operated on last December and tossed his gloves away in frustration. He also punched his leg in obvious anguish while being treated by the Superchargers medical team. 

Fears over his participation in England’s first Test against Sri Lanka appear to have been realised with his sighting on crutches, though Stokes can be seen in seemingly high spirits in one of the images. 

The England skipper cut a cheerful figure despite the prospect of him missing England’s first Test against Sri Lanka

Stokes has been ever-present since he appointed captain partway through 2022 and has played in the last 26 Test matches

Stokes was pictured in need of the walking aides as he arrived back at his Manchester hotel on Sunday night. England take on the Sri Lankans in three matches spanning just 21 days. The Test tour of Pakistan begins in the first week of October. 

Ollie Pope is England’s vice-captain and would be the obvious choice to lead the side in Stokes’ absence.

Asked by Mail Sport recently about the prospect of having to lead the side in the event of a Stokes injury between now and the end of 2024 – the three Tests in Pakistan are followed by three more in New Zealand – Pope said: ‘If it required me to do it, I’d be pretty clear about how I want to go about things.’

Stokes also aggravated a damaged finger the last time he played in the Hundred three years ago, which led to him being touch and go for the Ashes the following winter.

England have already lost Zak Crawley for the remainder of the home season due to a fractured finger, with Dan Lawrence set to open for the first time in Tests.

The absence of Stokes would further upset the team’s balance, however, as last year’s successful knee operation allowed him to operate as an all-rounder during the 3-0 whitewash of West Indies.