England fret over Ben Stokes's availability after all-rounder falls ill

England will adopt a wait-and-see approach on the availability of captain Ben Stokes as the all-rounder missed training on Tuesday after feeling unwell as his side started their preparations for the third Test at Headingley.

Stokes was absent while the rest of the squad trained ahead of the Leeds Test, which starts on Thursday, with the hosts having already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.

An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson told AFP and PA that Stokes had tested negative for Covid-19 on Tuesday but was being kept away from the group as a precautionary measure.

The decision was made as New Zealand have had several positive Covid cases in their squad over the past couple of weeks. Black Caps captain Kane Williamson was forced to miss the second Test after testing positive on the eve of the match in Nottingham.

Apart from Williamson, the tourists also saw Henry Nicholls, Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell and two members of their back-room team return positive results since arriving in England.

The 31-year-old Stokes, in his first Test series as skipper, will be assessed again ahead of Wednesday's training session.

Stokes hit 75 from 70 balls in the second innings of England's second Test victory over New Zealand at Trent Bridge. It was England's second successive win against the Test world champions, clinching their first red-ball series triumph since January 2021.

Jonny Bairstow celebrates reaching his century that helped England defeat New Zealand by five wickets on the final day of the second Test at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. AP

In case Stokes is ruled out, the Three Lions will have to make a decision on his stand-in as there is no vice-captain in place.

His predecessor,