Long lay-off for Stokes

Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes may be out of action for six months after surgery in America on a long-standing finger injury. The 20-year-old suffered a fracture dislocation of his right index finger fielding in May, and it recurred during England's fourth ODI against India in September.

His county said that he had had the operation this week and faces a three-month healing period followed by three months of "graded recovery and rehabilitation". Stokes, a promising medium-pacer, did not bowl all season after the injury.