This article was brought to you in association with Wisden’s official betting partner, bet365. For all the latest England vs West Indies odds and in-play markets, visit bet365

Ben Stokes may be unavailable to bowl in the third England-West Indies Test at Emirates Old Trafford, which starts tomorrow.

The all-rounder was unable to finish bowling his final over in England’s series-levelling victory against West Indies at Manchester, and although that was since confirmed as a precautionary measure, England captain Joe Root has since confirmed that Stokes has a niggle that could force England to field him as a specialist batsman. Root confirmed that the injury wouldn’t rule the left-hander out of the Test altogether.

“We’ll have to be really clear on where Ben’s at,” Root said when asked how he would choose who to leave out of England’s 14-man squad. “He’s still feeling it a little bit in his quad so we’ll make sure he’s fit to bowl and if not then that might change how we go in slightly. He pretty much spent the whole time in the field so it was a long old game for him but it is hard to keep him down and to take him out of the action.

“We’ll see how he is in the morning and you look at the squad we’ve got plenty of brilliant options to choose from so whatever combination we decide to go with its definitely worthy of taking 20 wickets.”

England already face an almighty dilemma over the make-up of their seam attack, and Stokes’ absence only makes it more complicated. Root kept his cards close to his chest, with fielding five bowlers, leaving the make-up of the attack as it is, minus Stokes, or leaving out off-spinner Dom Bess to accommodate a fourth seamer without weakening the batting all options.

Even when England decide how many quicks they want, with Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer and James Anderson all in the squad, the team management will face a tough decision over who to leave out.