Prior, Stokes hope to prove fitness ahead of Lord's Test

Ben Stokes and Matt Prior, two players whom the England selectors viewed as likely starters in the first Test against Sri Lanka, hope to return to action towards the end of the month in a bid to prove their fitness for the Lord's match in June.

Stokes has not played since breaking his hand after the final T20 against West Indies, in March, an injury that ruled him out of the World T20. The healing process has been slow but James Whitaker, the national selector, said the aim was for him to be playing some form of cricket within the next weeks although he remained cautious about a return to the international stage.