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Ben Stokes returns to England XI after not guilty verdict, Sam Curran out

August 18, 2018
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 4 : Ben Stokes of England waits to be interviewed after England won the 1st Specsavers Test Match between England and India at Edgbaston on August 4, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

Ben Stokes will return to the England XI for the third Test against India at Trent Bridge on Saturday just four days after he was cleared of affray.

England captain Joe Root confirmed that Sam Curran, man-of-the-match with five wickets and a crucial half-century in the opening Test win, was dropped to make way for Stokes.

"It was one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make as captain. It's about us as a squad delivering over five games and on this occasion Sam is unfortunate to miss out," Root said.

"Ben is desperate to get back playing cricket. He's desperate to get out there, put in performances and concentrate on his cricket now. He feels ready to play.

"I have known Ben from being really quite young and I feel very confident he will be able to go out and put in a performance."

Stokes took six wickets in the first Test win including the prized scalp of India captain Virat Kohli.

He then missed the second Test at Lord’s with his court hearing where Chris Woakes, who had replaced Stokes, scored a century and took four wickets in a man-of-the-match performance. 

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