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Ben Stokes Vows to Always Wear Helmet After Serious Facial Injury

England Test captain Ben Stokes has made a firm commitment to always wearing a helmet while playing or practicing after a serious facial injury from a cricket ball. The all-rounder was struck while watching a net session, resulting in damage to his cheekbone, nose, and eye, requiring surgery. Stokes publicly questioned the tactic of batters not wearing helmets when facing spin bowling, a practice he says he now finds incomprehensible. He is recovering and is likely to return for England's home Test series against New Zealand in June.

Key Points: Ben Stokes Vows to Always Wear Cricket Helmet After Injury

  • Stokes injured watching net session
  • Suffered cheekbone, nose, eye damage
  • Underwent successful surgery
  • Questions batters not wearing helmets vs spin
  • Targeting return for England in June
2 min read

'Cricket balls do serious damage': Stokes vows to 'always wear helmet' after facial injury

England captain Ben Stokes pledges to always wear a helmet after a ball strike caused serious facial damage, questioning batters who face spin without one.

"I'll never not wear a helmet, cricket balls do serious damage. - Ben Stokes"

London, Feb 15

England's Test captain Ben Stokes has vowed to always wear a helmet while playing or even doing batting practice after getting hit on the face badly by the ball at the start of the month.

Stokes also questioned the tactics of the batters to not wear a helmet while facing spinners in the match.

"I never understood the no helmet when spin is bowling, I used to have throwdowns with no helmet," Stokes wrote in a post on X. "After my accident last week and getting seriously lucky with the outcome, I'll never not wear a helmet, cricket balls do serious damage," he added.

Stokes was accidentally struck by a cricket ball, resulting in damage to his cheekbone, nose, and eye, when he was watching a net session for his county side, Durham.

Stokes posted a photo of his bruised face from the hospital immediately after sustaining the injury and captioned it, "You should see the state of the cricket ball."

England's premier all-rounder has to undergo surgery on a broken cheekbone after the incident. He informed about the surgery success through an Instagram post on February 5, showing him in a hospital bed with heavy bruising to his right eye and a small incision on his cheek.

"May not look like it... but the surgery was a success," he wrote in the post.

Stokes is out of England's white-ball team after the World Cup in 2023 and is not involved in their T20 squad for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, where England has won two matches out of three in their group stage.

Stokes is likely to make his next international appearance in the first Test of England's home series against New Zealand in June, though he may play for Durham in the County Championship.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is a wake-up call for cricketers at all levels. If a professional athlete like Stokes can get injured just watching a net session, imagine the risk for amateurs. Helmets should be non-negotiable.
A
Ananya R
His point about facing spinners without a helmet is spot on. In India, you still see some senior players in domestic cricket doing this, setting a bad example. The game has evolved, safety standards must too. Get well soon, Stokes!
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, while safety is paramount, there's also something to be said for the old-school toughness. Many legends played without these protections. That said, in today's fast-paced game, better safe than sorry. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
K
Karthik V
The photo he posted was scary! "You should see the state of the cricket ball" – that says it all. It's not just about batting; even fielders at silly point or short leg are at huge risk. BCCI and other boards should mandate stricter helmet rules.
M
Michael C
A timely reminder. Hope this incident leads to more awareness in school and club cricket, especially in countries like India where the game is played everywhere, often with minimal safety gear.

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