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Chris Woakes to replace Ben Stokes in England team for second Sri Lanka Test

Alastair Cook reveals that injured all-rounded Ben Stokes will be replaced by Chris Woakes for the second Test meeting with Sri Lanka, which gets underway on Friday.

Chris Woakes will replace the injured Ben Stokes in England's lineup for the second Test with Sri Lanka.

The all-rounder aggravated a long-standing knee problem during last week's opener, forcing him out of the remainder of the series.

Woakes will now come in to bat at number eight, while Jonny Bairstow - a key man in the thumping first Test victory - moves up the batting order for the Durham meeting.

Nottinghamshire fast bowler Jake Ball was also in contention, but skipper Alastair Cook believes that Woakes will better help to maintain the side's balance.

"Chris Woakes is going to come in for Ben Stokes," Cook told reporters. "[Picking Ball] was brought up in conversation, but we enjoyed playing with the balance of the side. It gives Chris another opportunity to play for England.

"I don't think we've seen the best of him yet in an England shirt. He's in form for Warwickshire. We know that Ben balances our side really well but like anyone he can get injured so we need competition in the all-rounder places."

Woakes marked his return to the England Test squad by taking nine wickets on duty for Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Monday.

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Alastair Cook and ickle Joe Root on day two of the fourth Test between South Africa and England on January 23, 2016
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