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Ben Stokes Recovers from Facial Surgery, Eyes England Return Against New Zealand

England Test captain Ben Stokes has successfully undergone surgery for a facial injury he sustained after being struck by a cricket ball. He shared the news humorously on social media, having been out of action since an adductor injury during the Ashes. Stokes has not played white-ball cricket since the 2023 World Cup and was not selected for the ongoing T20 World Cup. His next international appearance is tentatively scheduled for England's home Test series against New Zealand in June.

Key Points: Ben Stokes Has Successful Facial Surgery After Injury

  • Surgery successful for facial injury
  • Injured by cricket ball in nets
  • Out since Ashes with adductor issue
  • Likely return in June Test series
2 min read

England Test captain Ben Stokes undergoes successful facial surgery

England Test captain Ben Stokes undergoes successful surgery for a facial injury sustained in nets, with his next international appearance likely in June.

"May not look like it... but the surgery was a success. - Ben Stokes"

New Delhi, February 11

England Test captain Ben Stokes underwent a successful surgery for the facial injury, which left him significantly bruised after being stuck on the cheek by a cricket ball.

Sharing the news of the surgery via his Instagram story on Tuesday, the 34-year-old jokingly wrote, "May not look like it... but the surgery was a success."

Last week, he shared the news of his injury in an Instagram story, saying, "You should see the state of the ball."

According to ESPNcricinfo, it was understood that Stokes was not batting or bowling when he sustained the injury, and was instead standing at the side of a nets session.

The flamboyant all-rounder has been out of cricketing action since leaving the field due to an adductor injury during the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney last month.

Stokes hasn't played any white-ball cricket for England since the 2023 World Cup, and he was not included in the squad for the T20 World Cup, currently underway in India and Sri Lanka.

The England Test captain's next international appearance is likely to come in the first Test of England's home series against New Zealand in June, though he may play for Durham in the County Championship before then.

Stokes and the former England player Moeen Ali were set to join another former cricketer, Andrew Flintoff, on the England Lions coaching setup for a white-ball series against Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi in February-March.

The selectors have named a 17-player squad for the three-match T20 series, with a 16-player squad announced for the five 50-over matches.

England Lions T20 squad: Sonny Baker, Luc Benkenstein, James Coles, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox (capt), Scott Currie, Calvin Harrison, Eddie Jack, Saqib Mahmood, Ben McKinney, Tom Moores, Dan Mousley, Matt Revis, Will Smeed, Nathan Sowter, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe.

England Lions 50-over squad: Sonny Baker, Luc Benkenstein, James Coles, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Scott Currie, Calvin Harrison, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley (capt), Liam Patterson-White, Matthew Potts, Matt Revis, James Rew, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe, James Wharton.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
His sense of humor is great! "You should see the state of the ball" 😂 Speaks volumes about the force of the impact. Injuries are a sad part of the game. Hope he's fit for the County games at least.
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Arun Y
Respectfully, the England management needs to be more careful. A senior player getting injured just standing near the nets? What about the safety protocols? This is a wake-up call for all teams.
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Sarah B
As a fan watching from India, Stokes is a true warrior. Playing through pain, coming back from breaks... his dedication is inspiring. The New Zealand series in June seems so far away!
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Vikram M
Tough player. Reminds me of our own Indian cricketers who play through injuries. The schedule is so packed these days, players barely get time to heal properly. Wishing him a full recovery.
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Karan T
Good to see the surgery was successful. Ben Stokes is crucial for the balance of world cricket. Test cricket needs characters like him. Hope he comes back stronger for the England summer.

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