Bowlers Steven Finn and Stuart Broad were left out of England's final warm-up match on Thursday as the pace duo race against time to be fit for the first test against India starting on November 15.
England won the first Test by 74 runs before grabbing a 26-run victory in the second to register their first series win in Pakistan since 2000-01, but Stokes said they will press to become the first Test team to complete a 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan.
The second day's play in the second Test between England and the West Indies was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to torrential rain in Chester-Le-Street on Friday. England ended the first day on 302 for two with Alastair Cook on 126 not out and nightwatchman James Anderson on four.
The India-off spinner picked 564 wickets in all formats of the game followed by England pace duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who took 535 and 525 wickets respectively..
'The facts are staring us all in the face, except Joe doesn't want to see it'
James Anderson, James Kirtley and Anthony McGrath have been included in the 13-man squad for the first Test against Zimbabwe.
Images from Day 4 of the fifth and final Test between England and India at The Oval in London on Monday.
England captain Joe Root confirmed that rookie batsman Ollie Pope will make his debut against India in the second Test starting at Lord's on Thursday.
South Africa fought back against England on the second day of the first Test on Friday, first with the ball and then the bat, to close on 86 for one after bowling England out for 385. Captain Graeme Smith, playing his 100th Test match, was 37 not out and Hashim Amla was on 47 after being dropped on 40 by first slip Andrew Strauss off Ravi Bopara.
Uncapped duo Jake Ball and James Vince have been named in England's squad for their home test against Sri Lanka at Headingley on May 19, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday.
James Anderson marked his 150th Test and return to the England attack with the first-ball wicket of home opener Dean Elgar, and Sam Curran also grabbed four wickets before Quinton de Kock rallied the Proteas. Images from Day 1 of the opening Test played between South Africa and England at Centurion on Thursday.
England had taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series in India but Ben Stokes and his men let the hosts draw parity in the second Test as all their batters were unable to get big scores.
Set an improbable 438 for victory after England declared their second innings at 333 for 7, the West Indies were 98 for 2 at close on Day 4 of the first Test.
England have recalled batsman Kevin Pietersen and rested their senior fast bowler James Anderson for a four-week tour of India next month including five One-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.
England's bowlers backed up Ian Bell's impressive century to lead the hosts to a 114-run victory over West Indies in the first One-day international in Southampton on Saturday
England skipper Joe Root said he feels like the spectators have almost been "robbed" as they came to watch to the stadium to watch Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma face the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad but instead watching him taking wickets.
Amidst talks that he may be rested for the third Test against the West Indies, young England paceman Stuart Broad has said categorically that he does not want to be rested since he is in the 'best nick' of his life.
Stuart Broad, fresh from his 11-wicket haul at Lord's, and James Anderson will again lead England's attack in the second Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Friday with the third pace slot up for grabs.
England finally bowled out a determined West Indies for 345 and limped to 10 for two in the evening gloom chasing 191 for victory after an absorbing fourth day of the first Test at Lord's on Sunday.
In no way it could have changed the course of the match. However, it could very much have prolonged it, taking it into a fifth day.
England recalled left-arm spinner Monty Panesar for the Ashes series in Australia in their 16-man squad named on Thursday.
'I am very excited for him to put the England shirt on again. It's something he has worked very hard for and thoroughly deserves.'
England beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 69 runs on day 3 of the second and final Test.
Jonathan Trott followed Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior into the international wilderness on Monday to leave England desperately short of experience ahead of this year's Ashes series against Australia.
Important and satisfying to score runs at number 3: Shubman Gill
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene once again led from the front, hitting his second century in as many Tests to steer his side to 238 for six on the opening day of the second and final match against England on Tuesday.
England's pace bowlers excelled on a rain-disrupted first day to reduce Sri Lanka to 81 for four in the third and final Test on Thursday.
'You have to have a plan and use every delivery wisely. I was very happy to execute it today and happy to contribute on that pitch.'
England will have to set a record for the highest successful fourth-innings chase if they are to win the third Test against India after the dominant tourists declared at 352 for seven with Virat Kohli making 103.
Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott shared a double century partnership to frustrate Sri Lanka on another rain-affected day in the first Test as England reached 287 for two on Saturday.
England claimed two late wickets to reduce Sri Lanka to 133 for two at the close of a rain-shortened first day in the first test on Thursday.
Javagal Srinath said that he is not fit at the moment but didn't know whether he would be ready to take part in India's home series.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain, criticised the lack of fight from India in the second Test at Lord's while urging the beleaguered visitors to dig deep.
Bazid Khan stroked an unbeaten 90 runs to lead Pakistan 'A' to a one-wicket win over England in the final over of a one-day match.
2024 saw some of the most competitive and captivating cricket being played on the field.
Bikash Mohapatra believes that South Africa's Dale Steyn's secret of success lies in him bowling in short spells.
'With a lead of 260 going into the day session, we're in the drivers' seat'
The forgettable tour of England two years ago still fresh in his mind, Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli on Thursday said he would love to play country cricket before the team tours England in 2018.
An unbeaten Joe Root century and a bowling masterclass by James Anderson put England in complete control of the second Test on Saturday.
As the prestigious Ashes gets underway, here's a look at the milestones that can be achieved.
