New Delhi
England Test captain Ben Stokes has confirmed a further delay to his competitive return following a serious facial injury. Originally aiming for an April comeback in the County Championship, the 34-year-old all-rounder is now sidelined until at least May as he recovers from surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone.
The injury occurred in early February during a freak accident while Stokes was coaching Durham’s academy players. A ball struck him with such force that Durham coach Ryan Campbell described the incident as potentially “horrific,” noting that it was only centimeters away from being a life-altering eye injury. Stokes underwent successful surgery shortly after and has been sharing his recovery progress—and “battle scars”—on social media with his trademark grit and humor.
This latest setback follows a grueling winter where Stokes struggled with an adductor injury during a disappointing 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia. Having opted out of the ongoing T20 World Cup to focus on his fitness, Stokes is now “pencilled in” for Durham’s matches against Worcestershire (May 8) and Kent (May 15).
These county fixtures will be his only chance to find his rhythm before a massive summer of Test cricket. England is scheduled to host two major three-match series, starting with a clash against New Zealand on Stokes’ 35th birthday.
