England all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss the remainder of the Test series with Pakistan due to family reasons.
He will return to New Zealand later this week, the England Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed. Stokes was born in New Zealand and his parents still live in the country.
It means he will miss the last two Test matches against Pakistan. Both are set to take place at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Thursday 13th August and Friday 21st August.
The statement from the ECB reads: “He will miss England's two Test matches against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday 13 August and Friday 21 August.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board, along with the Stokes family, requests that all media respects the family's privacy at this time.”
England Leading the Series
England will now have to plan without Stokes as they look to win the series in Southampton.
They currently hold a 1-0 advantage after securing a tense three-wicket win at Old Trafford.
The hosts successfully chased down 277 in Manchester thanks to a brilliant 139 partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes.
Speaking after the victory, England captain Joe Root told Test Match Special: “It's a monumental win.
“We managed to get across the line and that will give everyone a huge amount of confidence.
“Our biggest strength as a group is our character and never giving up. We always look at how we can find a way to get back into the game and today we did it brilliantly.
“We were up against it, but we found a way and that's a sign of a good team. We are very aware we're not the finished article but if we keep doing things, backing them up and learning from mistakes then we will get there eventually.”
