England Test captain Ben Stokes suffered a significant setback in his bid to return to competitive cricket after an accident in the nets left him with a fractured cheekbone requiring surgery.
The incident happened in February this year when Stokes was hit in the face while assisting during a net session. The blow was so severe that it fractured his chin and the all-rounder underwent surgery.
Stokes has been out of internationals since the end of the Ashes series in Australia. He suffered a groin injury during the final Test of the tour.
While he was expected to return to Durham at the start of the season, he will now miss most of the coming week’s cricket, not expected to return until May.
Speaking at Durham’s pre-season media day, head coach Ryan Campbell confirmed the delay in Stokes’ return.
“He’s going to play the first game. He’s been training very hard to be ready, but we have to wait for the experts to clear him.”
Campbell, however, was relieved that Stokes had avoided more serious injury.
“(The incident) was worse than you think. The ball was hit really hard and we were lucky he got away with it. A couple of centimetres, the other way it hit his eye, it would have been very different.”
Despite the setback, Stokes recently took to social media to reaffirm his commitment and passion for English cricket. Campbell believes the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia sharpened his appetite for success.
“He has a lot to prove. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that the Ashes didn’t go so well.
“He’s a proud man who wanted England to be the best team in the world. I’ve no doubt the Ashes knocked him for sixes. He was devastated but now he’s breathing.
“It’s exciting to see him getting ready for England because the lad can play.”
A recent review of England’s Ashes performance by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has concluded that Stokes will remain as Test captain and Brendon McCullum will continue as head coach.
England’s next Test starts against New Zealand on June 4 at Lord’s.