England could also be pressured to rethink Ben Stokes’ future as an all-action all-rounder after his newest harm setback capped a depressing day of Check cricket in Hamilton.

Stokes left the sphere clutching the identical left hamstring he tore badly in August, bodily unable to finish his over on the third afternoon of the ultimate Check towards New Zealand.

With the sequence already secured, England’s most urgent considerations have been for his or her captain reasonably than the parlous state of a one-sided sport at Seddon Park, the place New Zealand set an astronomical goal of 658 earlier than sniping each openers to depart their opponents reeling at 18 for 2.

Stokes prides himself on giving all the pieces he can for the group, with each bat and ball in addition to within the subject. However the lengthy, arduous seasons of wear and tear and tear could also be catching up with the 33-year-old faster than he would really like.

The sight of Stokes hobbling out of the bottom with a compression bandage on his leg was a intestine wrenching picture on the finish of a visit the place he appeared to banish 18 months of health troubles and eventually appeared able to resume duties as his group’s do-it-yourself motion hero.

He was into his 67th over of the sequence – nearly 37 of these on this match – when he felt his muscle twinge and exited the stage with head in arms.

His day was over instantly, with a scan booked to evaluate the complete extent of the injury, however in the long term each he and England might now have to contemplate whether or not his physique continues to be able to all the pieces he desires from it.

“We didn’t see it coming,” admitted assistant coach Marcus Trescothick.

“You don’t have any indicators for these kind of issues, usually they simply occur. However clearly it’s the identical hamstring that he’s accomplished earlier than and it’s all the time robust if you realise you’re injured once more.

“Possibly it’s a case that you simply handle his bowling hundreds (any longer) and probably he doesn’t bowl the quantity that he’s bowled on this sport.

“He works dramatically properly along with his health to attempt to get into one of the best form he may be. He’s been going so properly, he’s been bowling and taking part in the position that he does as an all-rounder and captain. We’ll simply have to take a look at how we handle it.”

Stokes’ woes got here on a day when New Zealand sapped English morale in relentless vogue. Already 340 forward, they nearly doubled their benefit as Kane Williamson led the way in which with 156.

Issues then went from dangerous to worse as Zak Crawley’s determined sequence lurched to a brand new low, dismissed by nemesis Matt Henry for the sixth time in a row to bow out with 52 runs at a mean of 8.66.

His indignant response to a good resolution from umpire Adrian Holdstock instructed the strain was taking its toll and will properly appeal to a advantageous from the match referee.

“It’s all the time robust when somebody will get one thing over you,” mentioned Trescothick.

“You need to rating runs each time you exit and play. One innings is dangerous, six innings is difficult, after all it. However we’ll get him via it and proceed to again him.

“We’re very a lot targeted on him being the opening batter for a very good interval to come back. He’s a robust character and though it’s difficult when somebody will get you underneath the pump, he’ll discover a means.

“And we’ll assist him discover a technique to get again to that time.”