Ben Stokes urges cricket to continue following Queen Elizabeth II death

The England Test captain would "be honoured to play in her memory" as sport considers the impact on the schedule following the passing of Britain's longest-reigning monarch

England Test captain Ben Stokes is hopeful cricket can continue in the immediate wake of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II ahead of a decision on the upcoming schedule.

Stokes wrote on Twitter "she loved sport, be honoured to play in her memory" in response to a message from former footballer Darren Huckerby.

There is no direct government guidance regarding imminent sports events and fixtures though it is advised any event that falls on the day of the state funeral be moved.

The second day of the England v South Africa men's Test at the Kia Oval and matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy have been postponed on Friday (September 9).

She loved sport, be honoured to play in her memory ❤️ https://t.co/sNSJ3qJreW

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) September 9, 2022

Football matches, horse racing and the PGA Championship at Wentworth have also been called off.

Several sports are holding urgent talks regarding whether their events should go ahead over the weekend and beyond, with announcements expected in due course.

That will include a decision over the future of the Test. Options available to the ECB include asking the ICC for permission to add an extra day to make up for the postponement, shortening the game or rescheduling it altogether.

An immediate call will also have to be taken on the England v India women's T20I at Chester-le-Street, the England Under-19 ODI against Sri Lanka (both Saturday, September 10), four RHFT games (Sunday, September 11) and the next round of the LV= Insurance County Championship (starting Monday, September 12).

^{England women are due to face India in the first of six white-ball matches on Saturday (Darren Staples/Getty Images)}

Issues including policing and security, the public mood, financial implications and broadcast considerations will all be taken into account when a decision is taken.

A period of national mourning has been declared, running until the end of the day of the funeral - the date of which has yet to be announced - following the passing of Britain's longest reigning monarch.

Though an ardent follower of horse racing - she owned a number of thoroughbreds - cricket was also among her keen interests. She attended 26 Lord's Tests and visited the ground on seven other occasions. Her first match came when England hosted South Africa in 1947.