Ben Stokes Ruled Out for Sri Lanka Series

Former England pacer Stuart Broad has emphasized the need for the team to stay positive despite the absence of captain Ben Stokes, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the summer due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing for the Northern Superchargers. The first Test against Sri Lanka is set to begin on August 21, with Ollie Pope stepping in as captain. Broad views this situation as an opportunity for England to experiment with their lineup and build resilience for future challenges, noting that Stokes' experience is crucial even when he is not playing. Stokes has expressed a desire to remain involved in team preparations, humorously suggesting he would take on a coaching role during the series. Broad defended Stokes' choice to participate in The Hundred, citing the importance of match practice for maintaining fitness. While acknowledging the disappointment of losing Stokes, Broad remains optimistic about the team's potential to thrive without him.