Stokes’ Severe Injury Raises Concerns
England Test captain Ben Stokes has experienced a severe facial injury after an unfortunate incident during practice. The 34-year-old all-rounder shared an image on Instagram portraying his swollen right eye, grazes on his cheek and lip, and a bandage in his nose. He humorously captioned the photo, “You should see the state of the cricket ball,” accompanied by a laughing face emoji.
Details of Stokes’ Injury
Stokes was not batting or bowling when the incident occurred. He was standing by during a nets session when he was struck by a cricket ball. This latest injury comes after a disappointing Ashes tour for Stokes, who returned home with England suffering a 4-1 series defeat against Australia.
Future Implications for Stokes
Despite expressing a desire to continue leading the red-ball team, Stokes’ captaincy remains in question amid a review by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). England coach Brendon McCullum has commented on the fallout from the Ashes, labeling it “out of order.”
- Stokes is not part of England’s white-ball squad.
- He will miss the T20 World Cup set to begin this weekend in India and Sri Lanka.
- His next potential appearance is for Durham in early County Championship matches.
Upcoming Matches and Current Recovery
England’s home Test season will kick off against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4, which coincides with Stokes’s 35th birthday. He is currently recuperating from an adductor injury sustained during the fifth Ashes Test in January. This injury prevented him from bowling effectively in Australia’s second innings and added to a series of setbacks throughout the Ashes tour.
Stokes’ Injury History
The recent injury is the latest in a string of physical setbacks for Stokes. In 2024, he suffered two hamstring tears and ended last season’s home series against India on the bench due to a shoulder problem. A surgery in late 2023 addressed his ongoing knee issues.
Despite these challenges, Stokes remains under contract with England until the conclusion of the 2027 home season, potentially allowing him to focus solely on red-ball cricket rather than participating in next month’s Hundred auction.
