Ben Stokes’ return to competitive cricket has been pushed back, with the England Test captain set to miss Durham County Cricket Club’s opening County Championship fixture against Kent County Cricket Club. The all-rounder is still recovering from a serious facial injury sustained earlier this year.
Stokes had suffered the blow in early February when a ball struck him flush on the face while he was standing close to a net session involving Durham’s academy players. The impact resulted in a fractured cheekbone, and images he later shared on social media showed visible facial damage. Surgery followed soon after the incident.
Durham head coach Ryan Campbell confirmed on Saturday that the recovery process is taking longer than initially expected, while stressing how serious the situation could have been.
“[The incident] could have been horrific. So, so much worse than what you think.
“A couple of centimetres a different way it hits him in the eye and it could have been different.
“The ball was hit so hard. We are just lucky he got away with it,” he said.
The delay comes at a challenging time for Stokes, who recently endured a tough The Ashes campaign where England were beaten 4-1. Despite the setback, he has retained the captaincy, along with head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key. The series loss had triggered an internal review amid reports of differences between Stokes and McCullum during the tour.
Off-field issues also surfaced, including reports of players — notably Ben Duckett — indulging in heavy drinking in Noosa following England’s only win of the series. After being reappointed, Stokes admitted he had been through a difficult phase following the disappointing tour.
The freak injury has only added to those challenges.
Campbell indicated that a lot has happened behind the scenes and that Stokes is now focused on resetting and preparing for what lies ahead.
“He has been training so hard to be ready.
“He has a lot to prove. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know the Ashes didn’t go so well, and he is a proud man who wants England to be the best team in the world.
“He, as a professional, is working at getting right and ready to go,” he said.
According to Campbell, Stokes is unlikely to return to County action before early May. The 2019 World Cup winner is also keen to feature in 50-over cricket this season, having already opted out of The Hundred.
With New Zealand national cricket team set to tour England this summer — the first Test beginning on June 4 — Stokes will be aiming to get sufficient match practice before the series begins.
For now, his focus remains on recovery, rhythm, and regaining full fitness ahead of a crucial stretch.
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