England Withdraws Woakes from The Hundred to Manage Workload Before Sri Lanka Test Series

Chris Woakes has been withdrawn from The Hundred by the ECB to manage his workload ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka. Ben Stokes' injury is not linked to this decision. England will begin their home Test series against Sri Lanka on August 21 at Old Trafford.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has pulled bowler Chris Woakes out of The Hundred, citing 'management of his workload' in preparation for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. According to ESPNcricinfo, the 35-year-old English player was anticipated to participate in Birmingham Phoenix's final two group-stage games. However, the club announced that Woakes will be 'unavailable for the remainder of the competition'.

England has denied that Woakes' withdrawal is related to Ben Stokes' injury. Stokes suffered a suspected hamstring injury over the weekend while playing in a domestic match. The all-rounder was seen on crutches following the incident during a Northern Superchargers game at Old Trafford, according to the ICC.

Teammate Harry Brook described Stokes' condition as doubtful for the opening Test against Sri Lanka on August 21 in Manchester. 'It doesn't look great unfortunately but I think he'll be getting a scan tomorrow and see how he is,' Brook told Sky Sports.

England recently secured a 3-0 series sweep against the West Indies, ascending to sixth place in the World Test Championship standings. The upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka will start on August 21 at Old Trafford, followed by matches at Lord's on August 29 and the Oval on September 6.

The England squad for the Sri Lanka series includes: Ben Stokes (C), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)