India vs England | Ben Stokes looks set to miss third Test at Trent Bridge

Ben Stokes was one of England’s go-to bowlers in the first Test match at Edgbaston as he proved crucial in the second innings of the game. Though he wasn’t extraordinary with the bat, he did pick up the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli on day four of the Test and wrapped things up with the wicket of Hardik Pandya as England recorded a 31-run win and went 1-0 up in the series.

However, the Durham all-rounder missed out on the win at Lord’s after he was not eligible to feature in the second match due to his ongoing trial for affray at the Bristol Crown Court. Stokes faced trial for his involvement in a Bristol nightclub brawl, which took place last year in September after the ODI win against West Indies.

But local media reports are now suggesting that the 27-year old player would likely miss out on the third Test match against India as well, regardless of the outcome of his ongoing trial. The Rajasthan Royals player also had a cricket discipline case which has been put on hold pending the end of criminal proceedings. This only prompted rumors in the local media that he could also miss the rest of the Test series as well.

The English cricketer’s trial would continue and hasn't been expected to conclude until Wednesday, which is 24 hours after the ECB reveals their squad for the third Test. After a man of the match performance from Stokes’ replacement- Chris Woakes, in the second Test at Lord’s, it is expected that English selectors won’t require the services of Stokes in the third Test at Trent Bridges.