England beat India by 22 runs in a thrilling third Test at Lord's on Monday to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

The 34-year-old Stokes's career has been blighted by injuries.

Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle has launched a scathing critique of South Africa’s stand-in skipper Wiaan Mulder for opting not to chase Brian Lara’s iconic 400 not out in Test cricket, after declaring, with Mulder himself unbeaten on 367 against Zimbabwe earlier this week.

"Really exciting. I think it's great for English fans but also for Jof," England captain Ben Stokes.

England were second-best in all departments in a heavy test loss to India at Edgbaston after they misread the pitch and made the wrong decision at the toss, coach Brendon McCullum said after his team lost by 336 runs on Sunday.

India captain Shubman Gill is adamant his side can still achieve a series-levelling win against England even if Jasprit Bumrah, the world's top-ranked Test bowler, is left out of the side that plays at Edgbaston.

Harry Brook fell for 99 on his home ground and the brilliant Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets on Sunday to leave the first Test between England and India at Headingley finely poised.

India strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah expects to feature in only three matches of the five-Test series against England as he manages his workload following a back injury.

Following a recent ICC rankings update, England surged two places to second, leapfrogging both South Africa and India.

Morgan has named current Test captain and star all-rounder, Ben Stokes and batting sensation Harry Brook as his frontrunners for the role.

With Jos Buttler stepping down from the role after a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, the search is on for England's new white-ball captain. While several names are in contention, Joe Root - the most experienced member of the squad - has ruled himself out for the role.

England cricket supremo Rob Key said on Thursday "it would be stupid" to rule Test captain Ben Stokes out of consideration for the role of skipper of the struggling white-ball team.

The 33-year-old all-rounder had already been ruled out of next year's Champions Trophy one-day international tournament in Pakistan and the preceding white-ball tour of India.

Key batter Joe Root, who preceded Stokes as Test captain, returns to the ODI side for the first time since the 2023 World Cup in India.

England captain Ben Stokes hobbled off injured as New Zealand powered 478 runs ahead in the third Test Monday on the back of an unbeaten Kane Williamson century.

The visitors won the first Test in Christchurch by eight wickets inside four days and have stuck with the same XI for the next clash starting on Friday.

Stokes has committed to England until at least 2026, covering the Ashes series in Australia, which starts late next year, while Buttler has agreed fresh terms, extending his contract by 12 months.

The hosts sealed a nine-wicket win in the third Test in Rawalpindi with Noman taking 6-42 and Sajid 4-69 in the second innings as England were bowled out for just 112.

England piled up 823-7 to thrash Pakistan by an innings on a lifeless Multan pitch in the first Test, before the hosts bounced back with a 152-run win on a recycled and turning Multan track.

Captain Ben Stokes was named in the England team for the second Test against Pakistan starting in Multan on Tuesday after recovering from a hamstring injury.