Lastly, there’s some excellent news for Ben Stokes’ followers. The England Take a look at captain has not performed any aggressive cricket because the 2025-26 Ashes, the final match of which was performed in January earlier this 12 months.
England misplaced the sequence 4-1, and to make issues worse, just a few weeks later, he broke his cheekbone at a Durham nets. He needed to endure surgical procedure later. In reality, he was fortunate to return out alive from that horrific incident. So, as one can see, life has not been nice for the English all-rounder of late.
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Nonetheless, now there seems some gentle on the finish of the tunnel. The English county cricket season is underway and Durham are up in opposition to Worcestershire from Friday. Coach Ryan Campbell has confirmed that Stokes goes to play within the match. Not solely that, he insisted he has no doubts in any respect that Stokes has regained full health.
“He’ll be bowling for us, 100%. In one of many innings, he may even go along with the brand new ball, that is in our pondering,” the Aussie advised the Press Affiliation.
“We have made it very clear, Stokesy is right here as a member of our staff to assist win a recreation of cricket for Durham, to not prepare for England.
“I am certain each England fan is delighted to see him again, however we’re simply pleased to see certainly one of our mates once more.
“He holds himself to such excessive requirements. He’ll be the primary into fielding drills, throwing balls at individuals and hitting himself a lot.
“We have already spoken about Ben enjoying, the way it brings extra media and extra eyes on a recreation.
“It provides one other layer, not of stress however of duty to maintain your personal requirements excessive. I am actually having fun with having him round,” he added.
The horrible previous few months
Stokes was fortunate to have been retained because the Take a look at captain final month after an investigation into England’s Ashes debacle. He additionally admitted how the previous few months, because the Ashes, had been very powerful for him. “The final three months have certainly been the toughest interval of my captaincy journey; it is examined me in so many various methods, and I am certain each different captain has gone by this as effectively,” he earlier mentioned.
New Zealand will probably be in England for a three-Take a look at rubber in June, with the primary recreation kicking off on June 4. Clearly, Stokes doesn’t have a lot time to regain his mojo. There may be yet another county recreation he can function in earlier than the Take a look at sequence, in opposition to Kent, beginning Might 15. Make no mistake, there will probably be loads of highlight on him over the following couple of weeks.