Stokes ruled out of third Test against Pakistan with calf tear

Ben Stokes, the England all-rounder, has been ruled out of the third Test against Pakistan after scan results on Wednesday (July 27) revealed a tear in his right calf muscle. Stokes, who made a comeback in the second Test at Old Trafford after recovering from a knee injury, limped off the field on the fourth day while bowling his sixth over of the innings.

England went on to win the Test by 330 runs to square the series 1-1.
 
The English selectors decided not to announce a replacement for Stokes and went ahead with a 13-man squad for the third game at Birmingham, which begins on August 3.
 
The team management could turn to Adil Rashid as the all-rounder's replacement if they see signs of the pitch offering turn since the legspinner was already a strong contender to play at Old Trafford in place of Moeen Ali, who was battling poor form. Moeen's spot looks to be secure for now after he picked up five wickets in England's series-leveling win.
 
Jake Ball, who made his Test debut during the first Test at Lord's, and experienced pacer Steven Finn are the other two options if the hosts decide to replace Stokes with another seamer.
 
Even though the England and Wales Cricket Board revealed that Stokes will be accessed next week, he is expected to miss the rest of the summer considering the recovery time for a calf tear is likely to take six weeks. Pakistan's final match of the tour is a Twenty20 International at Old Trafford on September 7.
 
England squad: Alastair Cook (C), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, James Vince, Chris Woakes