England’s Ben Stokes has been omitted from his country’s third ODI against the West Indies as a precaution after rolling his ankle during practice in Grenada on Sunday.
The explosive left-hander has been vital for England during their tightly contested five-match series against the home side. He leads the series batting averages for England, and has bowled the most overs of all the English bowlers during their tour of the Caribbean.
READ MORE: Cottrell five-for crushes England
Stokes misses the third ODI as a precaution after the all-rounder rolled his ankle while practicing boundary fielding in the lead-up to the encounter. He has been replaced by opening batsman Alex Hales, who last played in ODI’s for England in October 2018.
Start delayed by rain.
Ben Stokes misses the third ODI against the West Indies with an ankle injury.https://t.co/p0cHQdq1eZ pic.twitter.com/sA6nbNXuXv
— BBC Cumbria Sport (@bbccumbriasport) February 25, 2019
READ ALSO: England rest Buttler, Stokes for T20I series
The third ODI is currently under way, but no action has taken place after the toss due to consistent rainfall in Grenada. England called correctly and have elected to bowl first.
England Starting XI
Jason Roy
Jonny Bairstow
Joe Root
Eoin Morgan (captain)
Alex Hales
Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper)
Moeen Ali
Chris Woakes
Liam Plunkett
Adil Rashid
Mark Wood
Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
