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.
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, Joe Root, would be the obvious choice in terms of experience but having opened up on the mental toll the job had taken on him prior to stepping away, the management might look at other seniors.
In that case, one of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Jonny Bairstow could step in. However, at least one of Broad and Anderson could be rested this week, given the lack of preparation time before England's next Test – last year's rearranged series finale against India.
If that happens, Craig Overton and uncapped twin brother Jamie, who has been added to the squad as an extra fast bowling option, will be hoping for a chance.
Should both make the XI together, they would become the first ever twins to line up for England at the same time, with Jill and Jane Powell having done so in different matches for England women.
"It would feel pretty special. It's a moment that we've always wanted," said Jamie Overton. "At times it has looked like it's not going to happen, so the fact it potentially could happen on Thursday is really magical."
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
