Injury scare for England as skipper Ben Stokes limps off in the final Test against New Zealand

England are already on the backfoot against New Zealand in the third and final Test of the three-match series. On the third day of the game, Ben Stokes started hobbling off the ground, causing a serious injury scare for his side. The unexpected moment arrived for England in the 56th over of New Zealand’s second innings.

It has to be assessed whether Stokes will be available to bat for the visitors in the game's second innings. The reports understood that the England skipper is receiving treatment for the ‘left-hamstring issue. Earlier this year, the Durham all-rounder was out of action after tearing his left hamstring, resulting in his absence from four Tests for England.

“England captain Ben Stokes is currently receiving treatment for a left-hamstring issue,” read an official statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

“He will not return to the field in this innings and will undergo further assessment to determine his availability to bat in England's second innings,” it added. 

England fall in deep trouble on the third day of the Hamilton Test

Speaking of the ongoing third and last Test in Hamilton, the hosts New Zealand are completely dominating the Three Lions as the latter are chasing a mammoth target of 658 runs in the game's fourth innings. Earlier in the game, the Kiwis scored 347 runs before bundling out England at the score of just 143 runs to get a massive 204-run lead in the first innings. 

Furthermore, the Blackcaps posted a huge total of 453 runs courtesy of the veteran batter and former skipper, Kane Williamson’s century (156 runs).

While chasing the mammoth target of 658 runs, England had already lost two wickets at just 18 runs in the second innings. Former skipper Joe Root went unbeaten and was yet to face a ball, alongside the young batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell who had scored 9 runs at the time of stumps on the third day.