England faced a significant setback on Sunday evening when captain Ben Stokes sustained a hamstring injury while playing for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. With the Test series against Sri Lanka set to begin on August 21, Stokes’ participation is now in serious doubt.
Stokes has undergone scans to assess the damage, with results still pending. However, given the intense pain he experienced as he left the field, it’s likely he may be forced to sit out the Sri Lanka series.
Over the past two years, Stokes has battled a series of injuries, which have severely limited his time on the field and prevented him from returning to his peak form. This article delves into the injuries that have plagued Ben Stokes in recent years.
Ben Stokes’ Injury Chronicles
Knee and Toe Injuries
Stokes missed much of IPL 2023, spending most of the tournament on the bench for Chennai Super Kings due to ongoing knee problems. These issues eventually led to surgery last year. Additionally, a toe injury further delayed his return to action, forcing him to sit out IPL 2024 as he continued to recover from knee surgery.
Hip Injury
During the 2023 World Cup, Stokes revealed he had heard a troubling “pop” in his hip while in Guwahati, leading him to fear his World Cup campaign might be over. Although scans later showed no major damage, he continued to experience discomfort. “When I initially did it, I thought I was done,” Stokes shared, adding, “It’s not good hearing a pop. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as we thought, and we quickly put a recovery plan in place. I’m here now, fit and available, which is a relief.”
Hamstring Injury
Most recently, while playing for the Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals, Stokes pulled his hamstring while attempting a quick single. The injury was severe enough that he had to be stretchered off the field and later required crutches to greet his opponents and teammates after the game.
Ben Stokes’ recent injuries have undeniably taken a toll on his availability and performance, casting a shadow over his upcoming engagements and raising concerns about his long-term fitness.
