England Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all cricket for a minimum of three months following a left hamstring tear sustained during the recent Test series against New Zealand in Hamilton. He won't be available for ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The injury, which occurred despite England's 2-1 series victory, has forced Stokes's withdrawal from England's 15-man Champions Trophy squad and will prevent his participation in the upcoming Hundred competition starting January 9.
This setback continues a challenging period for the all-rounder, who underwent knee surgery in October 2023 following the ODI World Cup. Stokes had previously managed a similar hamstring injury in August, which curtailed his involvement in the English summer cricket season.
Prior to this latest injury, Stokes had expressed optimism about his physical condition, noting his increased bowling workload in recent matches. "I have to work so much harder on the physical side of the job," Stokes had stated before the Hamilton Test. "I got a good amount of overs in during the last two games and I am more confident about getting through a lot of spells in a day."
The injury has impacted Stokes's broader cricket calendar, having already opted out of the IPL 2024 mega auction to focus on managing his fitness. This latest development represents a significant blow to England's cricket plans for the upcoming season.
The timing is particularly unfortunate as it follows Stokes's return to regular bowling duties, which he had carefully managed since his previous injuries. His absence will require England to adjust their strategy for both Test cricket and limited-overs competitions in the coming months.
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