England will head into the second day of the third Test against India at Lord's with fresh doubts over the fitness of inspirational captain Ben Stokes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The skipper pulled up with what appeared to be a groin issue late on Thursday's opening day, with Stokes receiving on-field treatment before he batted on until the close.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England were 251-4 at stumps, with Joe Root 99 not out and Stokes, who won the toss, unbeaten on 39.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 34-year-old Stokes's career has been blighted by injuries, with a longstanding knee problem requiring an operation in 2023, while the all-rounder has suffered two serious hamstring tears during the past eight months.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In an encouraging development for the side, Stokes has been able to operate as a fully fledged all-rounder in recent games after his fitness issues restricted his impact as a lively seamer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But such is his importance to the balance of the team, with England currently 1-1 in a marquee series at home against India as they build towards a showpiece Ashes tour of Australia, that team chiefs will hope Thursday's incident is merely a minor problem.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious and he can do something magic and come back strong," said England vice-captain Ollie Pope. "We'll see how he pulls up tomorrow (Friday).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We've got a big Test over the next four days and we've got a big two coming up after that so it's important to try and manage him.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"That's one of my roles, to make sure he doesn't push himself to a ridiculous place with whatever he's dealing with at the moment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I'm sure the physios and medics will work with him to lay out a plan and I'll help push him in the right direction," added Pope, who made 44 on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Play ended with Root just one run shy of his 37th Test hundred and a record-extending eighth such century at Lord's.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pope, however, does not expect the star batsman to suffer too many nerves overnight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Obviously he'd have loved to have a hundred red (not out), but he's got 36 of them, so I don't think he'll be too sleepless," said Pope. "He'll get his head down.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It would have been nice to see him get it tonight but he'll be looking at the bigger picture and trying to make it a monster innings. Hopefully we can kick on and get 400, towards 500."
\r\n <\/p>\r\n",
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