Ben Stokes set to bowl in First Test against New Zealand after coming through nets session

Ben Stokes is on course to bowl in the First Test after coming through five overs in the indoor nets without being in pain.

Stokes has been nursing a back injury since the recent ODI series against New Zealand but got through his workout on Monday — which took place indoors because of rain in Auckland — and England say the all-rounder will be able to bowl in the series opener as long as he comes through two more net sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Should he suffer a reaction, England will probably use him as a specialist batsman, most likely at No5.

"He's always great for the team," Moeen Ali told The Telegraph. "The balance of the team is pretty much sorted when he's in the team.

"It's just having him in the side, knowing we've got a much stronger side when he's playing. It gives everyone else a good lift, and obviously him being at slip for me, he's very good in that position.

"He's ready to go and ready to perform and give back to the team, which I'm sure he wants to do for what happened earlier."