England ponder all-seam attack as injury worries continue ahead of Trent Bridge Test

GEORGE DOBELL IN NOTTINGHAM: Ben Stokes, the England captain, bowled around half-a-dozen deliveries in training before pulling up with what appeared to be a sore side and consulting the team doctor. Ollie Robinson out for at least three weeks

An injury scare to Ben Stokes at training in Nottingham may affect England's selection for the second Test of the LV= Insurance series against New Zealand. 

Stokes, the England captain, bowled around half-a-dozen deliveries in training before pulling up with what appeared to be a sore side and consulting the team doctor. Although he attempted bowling again an hour or so later, he looked uncomfortable. He batted without issue. England later in the day claimed that the skipper was "fine".

While there seems little doubt that Stokes will play at Trent Bridge, the episode may raise doubts about his ability to play a full part as a bowler and therefore have an impact on team selection.

^{Ollie Robinson will be out for at least three more weeks [Getty Images]}

The England management had been considering playing an all-seam attack in Nottingham, with their options including bringing in Craig Overton as an extra seamer or Harry Brook as an extra batter. In either case, they would omit their specialist spinner. If Stokes is unable to play a full part as a bowler – and it should be stressed that he may have stopped bowling in the nets as an abundance of caution - it is likely that Overton would play as one of four seamers.

Stokes sustained a side strain during the fourth Test of the Ashes series at the SCG after and played the rest of the series as a specialist batter. It may be relevant that he sustained that injury after being asked to bowl several spell of short-pitched deliveries in the Ashes. He bowled a similar spell in the first Test at Lord's. 

Ben Foakes also sustained a blow to the right thumb during catching practice which again necessitated a check from the team doctor. He was able to continue with his session after a break for treatment and is not thought to be a doubt for the game. 

England are yet to reach a decision on Jack Leach's availability. The left-arm spinner was obliged to withdraw from the first Test after sustaining a concussion in the field. He and Matt Parkinson, who replaced him in the first Test team, trained with the rest of the squad on Wednesday. Leach will be further assessed on Thursday.

Craig Overton could be part of an all-seam attack [Stu Forster/Getty Images]

Meanwhile Ollie Robinson is to undergo a MRI scan next week in an attempt to diagnose continuing pain in his lower back. Robinson has been troubled by the problem since the Ashes tour and has been unable to play a Test since. Scans to date have been inconclusive but he is understood to have undergone a painkilling injection this week with a view to taking another look at the problem next week.

At this stage, he is not expected to bowl for at least three weeks, though the worst-case scenario – a stress fracture – would rule him out for considerably longer. 

Robinson has endured wretched luck since emerging as a Test cricketer last year. As well as the back problem, he has missed games due to dental issues and food poisoning.

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