'Won't rush him until he is ready to go' - Silverwood addresses rumours of Stokes' comeback

Despite playing at home, England's chances of beating India in the series looks grim. The Three Lions doesn’t look like a team and are over-reliant on Joe Root and James Andreson. The hosts were stunned by India in the second Test at Lords and suffered a crushing loss by 151 runs. England need something extraordinary to come back and win the series from here.

They would have desperately needed Ben Stokes to be with the team but the all-rounder took an indefinite break from Cricket. With series on the line, news were doing rounds that England may recall Ben Stokes. However, they turned out to be mere rumours after England coach Chris Silverwood confirmed they will not push Ben Stokes for a comeback until he is ready to go.

“No, there is no pushing from my point of view,” Silverwood said on Tuesday. “I don’t think you can push with these issues. I will wait and there will be an element of waiting for him to come to me to let me know he is ready.

“There is no time limit on it. I would stress again the important thing is Ben is OK, his family is OK and that he comes back strong and, when he re-enters the frame, he is ready in his mind to come back and perform for England like we know he can.

“I am certainly not pushing him for an answer and I don’t think that would be the right thing to do. There are people around him supporting him and, when he is ready to come back in, we will welcome him with open arms but until then he will get all the support he needs.”

Meanwhile, England are also sweating over the fitness of Mark Wood, who injured his shoulder in the second Test. Wood was seen in searing pain and was strapped heavily when he came into bowl on Day 5. England are already without Jofra Archer and Olly Stone, who are out due to injuries. Talking about Wood’s fitness, Silverwood said they are keeping a keen eye on his recovery but emphasized they won’t risk the fitness of the seamer just to make him play.

“The medics are working on Woody. We’ll find out more in the next couple of days,” Silverwood said.

“He is a bowler who can hit 90mph-plus, so I’ve got to look after him, but he will be given every opportunity to be fit for Leeds and obviously we will make a decision, along with him, and our medics closer to the time.”