Ben Stokes, the talismanic leader of England’s Test side, has allayed fears with news of a successful operation on his facial injury. The mishap occurred at the edge of the practice nets, where a wayward delivery connected with his face, leading to prompt surgical repair.
On Instagram, Stokes shared a stark before-and-after snapshot, quipping, ‘May not look like it, surgery was a success.’ At 34, he’s no stranger to the game’s physical toll, having flagged the injury publicly just days prior.
Compounding matters was his adductor issue from the Sydney Ashes finale last month, which sidelined him mid-match. Stokes’ unwavering dedication to Tests means no white-ball appearances for England post-2023 ODI World Cup.
His pathway back involves county action with Durham ahead of the June home Tests against New Zealand, aiming to sharpen fitness levels.
Beyond playing, Stokes was set to mentor England Lions in Abu Dhabi against Pakistan Shaheens, joining Moeen Ali and Andrew Flintoff. The itinerary includes 17-player T20 squads for three matches and 16 for five 50-over encounters.
The real battle for Stokes lies in revitalizing England’s Test campaign. Bazball’s bold gambit has exposed vulnerabilities against powerhouses, as seen in the humiliating 4-1 Ashes reverse. Can the Stokes-McCullum era turn the tide?