London, May 25 (IANS): England all-rounder Ben Stokes has said he is “devastated” to miss out on the rest of the ongoing Test cricket series against Sri Lanka after undergoing a knee operation.
The 24-year-old has been sidelined for six weeks. He injured himself while bowling in the first Test which England won quite convincingly by an innings and 88 runs.
Stokes suffered a cartilage tear that he says has been "an ongoing issue for two to three years" but which he has "managed to play through until now", reported the BBC on Tuesday.
“I am devastated,” he said.
Bowlers David Willey (small abdominal muscle tear), Mark Wood (left ankle surgery) and Reece Topley (partial stress fracture of the lumbar spine) are also set to miss the tie.
Stokes will miss the remaining two Tests, five One-Day Internationals and T20 international against Sri Lanka.