LONDON: England Test captain Ben Stokes has sustained a significant facial injury after being struck by a ball during an indoor training session in Durham. The all-rounder shared an image of his injuries on social media, depicting a swollen and heavily bruised right eye, several facial cuts, and a piece of tissue paper in his nose, which he accompanied with a smiley emoji.
According to reports, the incident was a freak accident. Stokes was not actively batting or bowling at the time but was standing to one side of the training facility when he failed to see a ball coming toward his face. The impact caused immediate visible damage, raising concerns about his recovery timeline.
This new setback compounds an already challenging period for the England skipper. Stokes is currently in a recovery phase from a persistent knee injury that hampered him throughout the recent Ashes series against Australia. The latest incident puts his immediate participation in upcoming training and matches into question.
The injury will be a major concern for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as they plan for future Test commitments. Stokes’ leadership and dynamic all-round abilities are considered central to the team’s strategy. Medical staff will now assess the extent of the facial injury to determine a treatment plan and a potential return to play, as fans and team management await further updates on his condition.
