Chris Woakes, Ollie Pope and Jack Leach out due to illness
By Sky Sports News
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Ben Stokes trained with England on Christmas Day
Ben Stokes is expected to play for England in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa with his father, Ged, now in a “stable condition – but Chris Woakes, Ollie Pope and Jack Leach miss out through illness.
Ged was admitted to hospital in Johannesburg on Monday in a “critical condition” but has improved after responding to treatment, even though he remains in intensive care.
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Ben missed England practice on Christmas Eve in order to be by his father’s bedside but trained on Christmas Day and now looks likely to play against South Africa at Centurion.
A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB) said: “He [Ged] remains in intensive care, but has responded positively to treatment and is now in a stable condition.
” The Stokes family wishes to thank everyone for their support and in particular the medical practitioners in South Africa for their care of Ged.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board continue s to request that the media and public respect Ben and his family’s privacy at this time. “
Michael Atherton says he would not at all be surprised to see England pick five seamers for the first Test against South Africa, which starts on Boxing Day
Speaking on England’s troublesome build-up and potential team,Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton said: “It has been disruptive – through no fault of their own.
” Sometimes we are critical about En gland’s lack of preparation with the itinerary but this time it is events out of their control.
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The battle of the bowlers – headlined by Kagiso Rabada versus Jofra Archer – is a mouthwatering prospect, says Mike Atherton
“I think England will be tempted to [play five seam bowlers]. I don’t especially like it, I must say, but it is a little bit needs must, a bit short term.
“There is some logic behind it when you consider the statistics and results here at Centurion, which have been powered by the seamers. “
Watch the first Test between South Africa and England, at SuperSport Park in Centurion, live from 7am on Boxing Day on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. ******************************** (****************************************************
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