Ben Stokes, the England Test captain, has recently shared an image of his injured face following a training incident. He revealed bruising and swelling under his right eye, accompanied by a cut on his cheek and a cotton-wool plug in his nose to control bleeding. In a light-hearted manner, he commented, “You should see the state of the cricket ball,” on social media.
Injury Updates and Recovery
Stokes is currently dealing with an adductor injury that he sustained during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney earlier this year. This injury prevented him from bowling in Australia’s second innings, contributing to a disappointing 4-1 series loss for England.
This latest setback adds to a series of injuries Stokes has faced recently. In 2024, he suffered two hamstring tears that caused significant time away from the game. Additionally, he ended last summer’s series against India sidelined due to a shoulder problem.
Previous Injuries and Operations
- Adductor injury from January 2024
- Two hamstring tears in early 2024
- Shoulder injury in summer 2023
- Knee surgery in late 2023
Despite these challenges, recent surgery has seemingly alleviated some long-standing knee issues, allowing him to resume training. However, it is anticipated that Stokes will not participate in any matches until late April or May. He plans to prepare for the upcoming Test summer with competitive games for Durham.
Future Plans
The first Test against New Zealand is scheduled to commence on Stokes’s 35th birthday, June 4. Amid ongoing speculation regarding the future of coach Brendon McCullum, Stokes has expressed his intention to continue leading the England Test team. His contract extends until the conclusion of the 2027 summer, reinforcing his commitment to English cricket.
Moreover, Stokes is expected to skip next month’s auction for the Hundred, focusing exclusively on his responsibilities with the Test squad.
