A few of the England players have been struck by a virus, with a team source saying it seemed to be a “viral infection, nothing food-related”.

According to sources in the England contingent, top-order batter Ollie Pope, left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, keeper-batter Ben Foakes and left-arm tweaker Jack Leach (who missed the second Test owing to a left-knee injury) were affected.

“A few of the guys woke up Monday morning not feeling great. When everyone had the same symptoms, you know there’s something going around.

“There’s a bit of a virus going around. It’s not an excuse for the result or anything, but it’s something that’s not ideal. You obviously want everyone to be at 100 per cent and feeling great,” captain Ben Stokes said.

England will leave for Abu Dhabi again on Wednesday for a brief camp before returning for the Rajkot Test beginning on February 15.