England all-rounder Ben Stokes batted during the net session on Friday before the start of the second and final Test against Pakistan at Headingley.
Stokes was declared a doubtful starter after suffering from a tight hamstring on Wednesday. Uncapped teenage Surrey pacer Sam Curran has been called up as cover for Stokes. If Stokes is unfit, all-rounder Chris Woakes is likely to come into the side.
On Friday morning, Stokes batted in the nets and will be assessed further before a decision is made over his match-fitness.
A good sign for England? He’s batted in the nets this morning but will Ben Stokes be passed fit to play at Headingley?
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 1, 2018
Watch the second #ENGvPAK Test from 10am on Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event. pic.twitter.com/g74vxpdh1o
Meanwhile, Pakistan are set to hand Usman Salahuddin his Test debut, rather than fellow uncapped batsman Fakhar Zaman who scored a match-winning hundred against India in last year’s Champions Trophy final at The Oval.
But Sarfraz said: “It wasn’t close…we’ve seen Usman as a better option. Usman has been with us for the last three tours. He’s worked very hard and he’s been doing well.”
Likely line-ups
England: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes/Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler, Mark Wood, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Usman Salahuddin, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas
