The Latest Blow to English Cricket: Ben Stokes’ Injury Setback

As I watched the recent match between Northern Superchargers and Manchester Originals in The Hundred, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease as Ben Stokes limped off the field. The England captain’s injury has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, and it’s likely that he’ll miss part or all of the upcoming Test series with Sri Lanka.

The incident occurred when Stokes, who was opening the batting for the away side, pulled up while sprinting for a quick single. He was clearly in discomfort and had to be helped off the field. The Superchargers later confirmed that Stokes was being assessed for a hamstring problem, which is a significant concern given his recent history of injuries.

Ben Stokes’ injury is a major blow to English cricket

I’ve been following Stokes’ career for a while now, and it’s no secret that he’s been struggling with injuries. He underwent surgery on a long-term left knee injury in late 2023 and had just started bowling again for England. This latest setback is a significant blow to his chances of participating in the Test series against Sri Lanka.

According to Harry Brook, Stokes’ England teammate and captain of the Superchargers, the injury ‘doesn’t look great.’ Brook told Sky Sports that Stokes would be getting a scan to determine the extent of the damage. Former England skipper Michael Atherton, who was providing punditry on The Hundred for Sky Sports, also expressed concerns about Stokes’ availability for the Test series.

‘It’s extremely unlikely that he’ll be able to play in the opening Test against Sri Lanka,’ Atherton said. ‘The way that he gripped the back of his leg looked like a hamstring injury to me, which may well be a significant period out.’

As an avid cricket fan, it’s disappointing to see Stokes struggling with injuries again. He’s an integral part of the English team, and his absence will be deeply felt. However, I’m also confident that the team will rally around him and find a way to overcome this setback.

In the meantime, it’s likely that Ollie Pope will take over as skipper for the interim period. Pope has been in good form recently, and I’m excited to see how he’ll lead the team in Stokes’ absence.

As the cricketing world waits with bated breath for news on Stokes’ injury, one thing is certain - the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka just got a whole lot more interesting.

Ben Stokes was pictured on crutches after the match

I’ll be keeping a close eye on developments and providing updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, let’s all keep our fingers crossed that Stokes makes a speedy recovery and returns to the pitch soon.

Update: Since writing this article, I’ve been informed that Stokes has undergone a scan and is awaiting the results. I’ll be sure to provide an update as soon as more information becomes available.

Image Credits:

• Ben Stokes injury: Getty Images
• Ben Stokes on crutches: Getty Images