Ben Stokes Ruled Out of Cricket for Three Months Due to Hamstring Injury
England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all forms of cricket for at least three months due to a torn left hamstring. The injury occurred during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, where England secured a 2-1 series victory.
Earlier this week, Stokes was excluded from England's 15-man squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy, a decision made in light of his ongoing fitness concerns. Stokes, who last featured in a 50-over match during the 2023 World Cup, has struggled with recurring injuries. In October 2023, he underwent knee surgery following the ODI World Cup, which required extensive rehabilitation before he could return to action. His participation in the World Cup was also limited due to fitness issues.
In August 2023, Stokes suffered a similar hamstring tear, which ruled him out of the remainder of the English summer. Despite this, he made his return, managing his bowling workload carefully. In a bid to better manage his fitness, Stokes opted out of the 2024 IPL and chose not to enter the mega auction.
Ahead of the Hamilton Test, Stokes expressed confidence in his physical condition, stating he had worked hard to manage his body. "I have to work so much harder on the physical side of the job to allow me to do my job," he said, noting he felt more confident after bowling a good number of overs in previous games. However, the hamstring injury has sidelined him once again, and Stokes will now miss next year’s Hundred competition, set to begin on January 9.
This injury setback marks another challenge in a series of fitness struggles for Stokes, who will now focus on recovery before making his return to international cricket.
