England keep fingers crossed on Stokes injury

Ben Stokes had treatment on the field for what appeared to be a groin injury

England captain Ben Stokes is fit to resume his innings on the second morning of the third Test against India after struggling with an injury on Thursday.

Stokes appeared to suffer a right groin problem while moving to 39 not out, as England closed day one on 251-4 at Lords.

The all-rounder had treatment on the field and hobbled between the wickets, turning down a second run in the final over that would have taken Joe Root to a century. Root ended unbeaten on 99.

Stokes bowled before play on Friday and is set to partner Root with the bat when play begins at 11:00 BST.

On Thursday evening, England indicated there were no plans for Stokes to have a scan overnight.

"Fingers crossed he can do something magic and come back strong," said vice-captain Ollie Pope after play on the first day.

"Clearly weve got a big Test over the next four days and a big two coming up. Its important to try to manage him, and well see how he pulls up tomorrow."

Stokes has a chequered injury history and has only just returned from hamstring surgery.

Known for pushing his body to the limits, the Durham man has been fit to play a full part as the fourth seamer in the England attack this summer, albeit refraining from the marathon spells that were once his trademark.

And Pope admitted one of his duties as Stokes deputy will be to ensure the captain does not do himself further damage by playing through any potential injury problem.

"For me, its partially one of my roles to make sure he doesnt push himself to a ridiculous place with whatever hes dealing with at the moment," added Pope.

"Im sure the physios and medics will work with him to lay out a plan and Ill help push him in the right direction."

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Pant forced off through injury from Bumrah delivery

India have their own injury concern after wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant spent most of day one off the field following a blow to his left index finger.

Like Stokes, Pant had one round of treatment on the field before being hit for a second time attempting a take down the leg side off pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

He was not seen after the 34th over of the day, with substitute Dhruv Jurel stepping in behind the stumps and holding an excellent catch to dismiss Pope.

The tourists have no plans for Pant to have an X-ray before the second day begins.

Pope, who was dropped off his first ball, made 44 in a third-wicket stand of 109 with Root.

On a slow pitch at Lords, against some excellent Indian bowling, England were forced to curb their attacking instincts. A run-rate of 3.02 per over is their slowest for a total in excess of 200 since Stokes became captain three years ago.

"Its not necessarily the way were used to going about a first innings, but I think 251-4 is a pretty good score at the minute," said Pope.

"Obviously we would have liked some more runs, but the nature of the surface and the way the Indian attack bowled was pretty good.

"Its a day well take. We had to adapt the way we play, but hopefully its a score we can really kick on from tomorrow and make it north of 400, towards 500."