Stokes, Archer, Burns hit training ground

All-rounder Ben Stokes, pacer Jofra Archer and reserve opener Rory Burns on Saturday had their first training session at the Chepauk after successfully completing six days of hard quarantine, while other members of the squad cleared their second Covid-19 test.

The trio were not a part of the Sri Lanka Test series with Stokes and Archer being rested for workload management purpose while Burns skipped the previous tour due to the birth of his first child.

The full England squad is scheduled to start its training from February 2 ahead of the series opener against India, starting February 5. Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Mark Wood will be available only for the last two Tests as part of the ECB's rotation policy.

"The first group of players - Archer, Burns and Stokes - will practice each morning for the next three days. They are limited to a two-hour session," England's media manager Danny Reuben informed.