Chris Woakes is hoping to make his return from injury next week in a bid to prove his fitness ahead of the Test series against India.
Woakes, who has a chronic knee problem that is likely to require attention for the rest of his career, also sustained an injury to his right quad during the Headingley Test against Pakistan. He is aiming to play as a batsman in Warwickshire’s second XI match against Leicestershire in Kibworth from July 10.
If he comes through that game unscathed, he will play as an all-rounder in the four-day England Lions match against India A in Worcester from July 16.
All four of England’s likely first-choice seam attack for the first Test against India (starting at Edgbaston on August 1) are currently involved in a rehabilitation programme.
Stuart Broad, who has an ankle ligament issue, plans to return to cricket in Nottinghamshire’s Championship match against Surrey starting on July 22, while James Anderson, who has a chronic shoulder issue, is planning to play in the same round of Championship matches.
The final member of that likely seam attack, Ben Stokes, played for Durham as a specialist batsman on Thursday night. While he made an unbeaten 90, he ended the night limping having edging a ball into his foot or ankle in training ahead of the game. He sustained a similar blow in a warm-up game earlier in the week and the area is understood to be heavily bruised.
The ECB have yet to confirm whether he will have a scan or join up with the England T20 squad for the match in Bristol on Sunday as planned.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo