London: For the first time in his 10-year-old career, England captain Alastair Cook batted outside the top three in a Test match due to a knee injury he suffered in the third Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on Saturday.

Cook was struck below the left knee while fielding at silly point. The incident happened in the 74th over of Sri Lanka’s innings. The visitors were 5 wickets down for 205 and Rangana Herath was facing his first ball. Moin Ali was the bowler and Cook decided to stand close to the batsman to put more pressure.

Ali erred in his length and bowled it full. Herath, showing no hesitation, hit a full-blooded drive. Cook jumped up to avoid the shot but he was too close to the fielder and the ball went on to hit him below his left knee.

As a precautionary measure, Cook did not open the innings. And as rain prevented play starting as scheduled on Sunday, Cook recovered significantly from the blow. He made his way across the main ground for a fitness test batting in the nets at the Nursery End of Lord's.

Here is the video: