Cricket fans were left reeling this week after Ben Stokes shared a photo showing just how brutal sports can get off the pitch.
The England all-rounder, known for his fearless style, appeared almost unrecognisable after taking a nasty hit to the face with a cricket ball.
While Stokes has been relatively quiet on social media since returning from Australia, he gave fans an unexpected glimpse into the toll professional cricket can take.
Sharing the image on his Instagram story, he joked alongside it, saying, “You should see the state of the cricket ball,” with a laughing emoji.
But the picture told a much grimmer story: Stokes sported a black eye, a cut below his lip, and bruising across his cheek, with a tissue visibly tucked into his right nostril.
The England captain even posed with a “call me” hand emoji, pulling a stern face despite the damage.
How the Injury Happened
Reports confirm that Stokes wasn’t batting when the incident occurred.
In fact, the mishap happened during training while he was standing at the side of the nets.
Even though the injury looked dramatic, it won’t affect his immediate cricket plans.
Stokes is currently recovering from a groin injury sustained during the fifth Ashes Test, which has kept him in the UK.
Fans can expect him back on the field once the domestic season kicks off in April, likely featuring in a few County Championship games for Durham before England’s summer Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan.
Coaching Duties Await in the UAE
Despite his ongoing rehabilitation, Stokes won’t be entirely off cricket duty.
He, alongside former England all-rounder Moeen Ali, has been announced as part of the England Lions coaching staff for their upcoming tour against Pakistan Shaheens in the United Arab Emirates.
The duo will assist head coach Andrew Flintoff during a packed schedule, which includes a three-match T20 series and five 50-over matches.
Stokes is expected to fly out to the UAE next week, combining coaching responsibilities with continued recovery work.
Stokes Eyes Future as England Captain
Even as he heals from injuries, Stokes has been reflecting on England’s recent Ashes defeat and his future as captain.
Following the 4-1 series loss, he reaffirmed his commitment to leading the team alongside coach Brendon McCullum.
He highlighted the challenges of the tour, pointing out, “We haven’t won here since 2010-11, and since then things have happened because people think we need to change things, but it has not really worked, has it?”
Stokes added that he believes in the current leadership setup and is determined to build on what he and McCullum have established over the past few years.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that me and Brendon are the right people to carry on doing this for the near future,” he said.
Committed to Taking England to the Next Level
Stokes expressed his enthusiasm for the progress the team has made and the potential that lies ahead.
He acknowledged the hard work invested in developing the squad and the importance of strategy between captain and coach.
“We’ve put so much time and effort into getting this team to where it is. And we know we want to get even more out of the group and individuals,” he explained.
He continued, emphasizing the need for careful planning: “As captain and coach, we have to put our heads together and go: ‘What is it that we think we need to do to go to the next level?'”
Acknowledging that results haven’t always matched expectations over the past year, Stokes remains focused on consistency and improvement, signaling his determination to keep pushing England cricket forward.
