MISSING STOKES IS GOOD TEST

Broad insists playing without crocked skipper will give England squad valuable experience

- PHIL CASEY

STUART BROAD insists England must put a positive spin on being without captain Ben Stokes for the rest of the summer.

Stokes set the record for the fastest Test half-century by an England batter to round off a 3-0 series whitewash of the West Indies last month, but has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

The 33-year-old suffered a torn hamstring while batting for.

Northern Superchargers in The Hundred on Sunday and has set his sights on returning for England's Test tour of Pakistan in early October.

Broad acknowledged the absence of Stokes was a big blow, but defended the allrounder's decision to play in The Hundred between Test series.

"It's a real shame," said the former England bowler.