England decision on Ben Stokes' fitness will wait until Wednesday, says Joe Root

Stokes has been recovering from a quad injury sustained during the second game of the West Indies series and played as a specialist batsman in the final match

England will wait until Wednesday before making a decision on whether or not Ben Stokes will be fit to bowl in the first Test against Pakistan.

Stokes has been recovering from a quad injury sustained during the second game of the West Indies series and played as a specialist batsman in the final match.

He has bowled in the nets at Emirates Old Trafford in the build-up to the Pakistan campaign, but England management have not seen enough of him with ball in hand to yet be confident in either ruling him out of Joe Root's attack or passing him fit to play a part with the ball.

“If he’s not fit we have other options and different ways we can go,” Root said.

“I couldn’t be happier to have so many headaches.”

Root confirmed that Stuart Broad will play after his sensational two matches against West Indies, but he remained coy when asked about the make-up of the rest of the bowling line-up.

Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Jimmy Anderson and Chris Woakes are all vying for places in the starting XI, while a decision also has to be made over whether or not to include a spinner in the shape of Dom Bess.

Stokes’ importance to the England team in both disciplines means his fitness or lack thereof has a major bearing in the balance of the side.

“Trying to take the ball out of his hand is very difficult. He’s so committed to the team and the causes that he will put his body on the line,” Root said. 

“The older he’s got and the more mature he’s got he has got more of an understanding of what he can do.

“He’s definitely getting better at looking after himself and it’s really important we look after him as well.”

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