Pakistan vs England: Tourists wait anxiously for the outcome of Ben Stokes’ scan

Ben Stokes was injured while leaping for a catch (AFP)

A shoulder specialist will today decide the immediate future of Ben Stokes. He will determine from scans the extent of the damage to Stokes’ right shoulder, on which he landed painfully in attempting a leaping catch on the first day of the third and final Test.

Stokes will not bowl again in the match, which will be inconvenient at best for England during Pakistan’s second innings and may alter the course of proceedings. But England will take no chances with their star all-rounder with a series against South Africa starting next month.

The England team spokesman said: “It’s a right shoulder injury and the specialist will be looking at the scan overnight. Our doctor will then talk to him and a full diagnosis will follow.

“There is definitely no chance of him bowling. If we need him to bat, we will make the decision whenever, depending on circumstances.”

It did not sound as though Stokes would be given the all-clear any time soon, but England will be extremely keen for him to accompany the squad to South Africa. When authentic all-rounders are unearthed – about once every 10 years at best – they shift the balance of the team hugely, either in their presence or their absence.

England did well enough without Stokes today and were within touching distance of a position from which they could win this match to level the series. The partnership of 83 between the coolly impressive James Taylor and Jonny Bairstow, coming together at 139 for 4, was extremely welcome.

Ian Bell, who flattered to deceive for the third time in the series, nonetheless did his bit with a grafter’s innings of 40. It took a most untypical 158 balls.

“It was about trying to get the job done really, by getting us up to the Pakistan score,” Bell said. “There was a period there where Pakistan had it reversing very well, and if you lose a wicket or two – as you saw in Dubai, when we lost four wickets pretty quickly – things can happen. So, for me, it was about getting through that.

Ian Bell grafted to 40 runs in 158 balls before getting out (Reuters)

“I think I only scored about 16 runs in that session. It was about recognising that was a key period in the game. It wasn’t the best knock of my life, but I also felt I contributed to scrapping out a tough day’s Test cricket. Pakistan, throughout the day, were very good as well.”

Bell and Taylor added only 39 in 25 overs as Pakistan found some movement in the air with the older ball in the afternoon. As Bell assessed it, he had to see off that threat first and foremost.

“The two left-armers came in giving it absolutely everything when they had that reverse going, and for me it was about giving them nothing. You saw in Dubai how a spell like it changed the game.”

Bell could not fail to be impressed by Taylor, playing his first Test since appearing against South Africa in 2012. Taylor was clearly not about to let his chance pass easily.

“He played brilliantly today. It was a great way to go out and start again. He is a very good player of spin, with good, quick feet. I really enjoyed batting with him. It showed character. He has had to go back to county cricket to grind out runs and he has done this in one-day cricket as well.

“He’s a smart little cricketer, a busy cricketer and that’s what we saw today: the way he swept, used his feet, ran between the wickets. It was a good way to play.”