England Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all cricket for at least three months after suffering a recurrence of a torn left hamstring during the third Test against New Zealand last month. The 33-year-old all-rounder will undergo surgery in January, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed in a statement on Monday.
Stokes initially tore the hamstring during The Hundred in August, forcing him to miss four Tests. Despite a partial recovery, the injury resurfaced in the third Test of England’s 2-1 series victory over New Zealand. Stokes bowled extensively in the match, delivering 36.2 overs, the most he has bowled in a Test since 2022.
Stokes’ Determination and Resilience
In a message on his social media account, Stokes expressed his determination to overcome the setback, saying:
“I’ve got so much more left in this tank and so much more blood, sweat, and tears to go through for my team and this shirt. There’s a reason I have a Phoenix permanently inked on my body.”
The injury marks another challenge in Stokes’ career as he balances his dual role as a leader and all-rounder. His heavy workload in New Zealand included spells of eight, eight, and seven overs in a single day, highlighting his commitment despite England’s struggles in the match.
The injury has already affected England’s plans, with Stokes omitted from their squad for the Champions Trophy in February on medical grounds. This continues a challenging period for Stokes, who had missed parts of the season due to knee surgery in October 2023 and was absent from England’s ODI setup during their early exit from the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Looking ahead, England’s Test schedule resumes in May with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe, followed by a high-profile five-match home series against India in July and August. Stokes’ availability for these fixtures remains uncertain, as he focuses on recovery and rehabilitation.
Stokes’ recent form had shown glimpses of his all-round prowess, with a batting average of 52.66 and seven dismissals at 36.85 during the New Zealand series. However, the physical toll of fulfilling the all-rounder role has been evident, with Stokes admitting to having “physically drained and ruined himself” in his quest for fitness.
