Ben Stokes is a doubt for England's three-match series in Pakistan, with Zak Crawley admitting they do not know if he will be fit to feature. (More Cricket News)
Stokes tore his hamstring playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred competition, forcing him to miss the side's last 💜three matches against Sri Lanka, with England winning t𝄹he series 2-1.
At the end of September, the captain underwent a planned sc♓an which showed he was “on track” to feature in the series, although he was not expected to bowl at the start.
Stokes had been hoping to make his return in the series ꧑opener on Monday, but looked uncomfortable in England's first training session, and is yet to be given the green light.
"﷽♉I think he's got to do a few more tests, but he's been doing some running and stuff," Crawley said.
"He seems to be going well, recovering well from his injury, [but] we don't♌ know just yet. We feel ready, whatever te𓆏am comes out, it will be a nice balance either way.
"We've got a really deep squad with plenty of options with the ball and w꧑ith the bat as well."
If Stokes is available to play, they 🦹could have some selection headaches, as they would be forced to drop one of the top sixಞ batters with his inclusion to make way for an extra bowler.
If they do not drop a batter, they could rely on Joe Root, who could also make history as he has 12,402 runs for England in men's ♚tests and is just 71 away from surpassing Alastair Cook (12,472) as the🉐 all-time leading run-scorer.
Crawley, meanwhile, has been cleared to feature after recovering from a broken fin♔ger that 🤪kept him out against Sri Lanka.
"I feel brand new. I'm looking forward to getting out there," ♚Crawley added.
"I couldn't pick up a b♌at for five weeks. I've certainly missed it, so I can't wa൲it to get out there again with the boys.
"It was a nasty break at the time, but I've recovered well, and Iꦏ don't feel it at all while I'm batting.
"I won't go at slip, just 💃from advice from the doctor, but I feel like I could. I'm trying to rest it, but I did a few catches, and it feels f⛄ine. I'm just trying to follow the professional advice."
