Ben Stokes has been ruled out of England's upcoming three-Test series against Sri Lanka after tearing his left hamstring while playing in The Hundred on Sunday. (More Cricket News)
Stokes pulled up after running a single and was carried off the field before later being seen on crutches 💙after appearing for the Northern Superchargers.
Originally thought to be a doubt for the first of England's Tests later this month, scans on Tuesday revealed the injury will keep hi🎃m out for the remainder ꧂of the summer.
Ollie Pope will 🍃take over S💙tokes' role as captain during his absence, with the all-rounder aiming to return to fitness before their Test tour of Pakistan in October.
England will also be without opener Zak Crawley for the Sri Lanka series due to a finger injury he sustained 💙against the West Indies🌳 at Edgbaston.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have appointed Ian Bell as their batting 🔯coach for the upcoming tour.
Bell, who played in 118 Tests for England between 2004 and 2015, will work under former Sౠri Lanka cap𒐪tain Sanath Jayasuriya.
"We appointed Ian to bring in a person with local knowledge to help the players with key insights on the conditions there," Sri Lanka Cricket c🌊hief executive Ashley de Silva said.
"We believe his input will help ou💙r team in this crucial tou👍r."
The first Teꦐst in the series will take place at Old Trafford in Manchester on August 21.
