Ben Stokes is ramping up his recovery after undergoing hamstring surgery in December, and he’s now focused on getting fit for a massive year of Test cricket.
The England Test captain, who suffered a setback with a left hamstring injury during the third Test loss to New Zealand, has made it clear that he’s determined to come back stronger.
Stokes, 33, remains confident in his ability to perform at the highest level, even getting a Phoenix tattoo to symbolize his resilience and his drive to always rise again.
Stepping Up Recovery with England Lions
To aid his recovery, Stokes has joined an England Lions training camp in Abu Dhabi, where he will train alongside young talent under the watchful eye of head coach Andrew Flintoff.
The Lions squad, which also includes Flintoff’s 16-year-old son, Rocky, is providing Stokes with an excellent environment to prepare for his return.
Early signs show that Stokes is ahead of schedule, and he’s focused on making his comeback just in time for England’s one-off Test match against Zimbabwe in May in Nottingham.
Focused on Test Series Against India and Australia
Stokes has made it clear that the upcoming Test series against India and Australia are his main priorities, even pulling out of the Hundred this summer to make sure he’s in peak form.
His decision to step away from the shorter format shows his commitment to the longer format of the game and his focus on leading England to success in key series this year.
Injury Troubles for Other Players
Stokes isn’t the only England player facing injury concerns. His Durham and Northern Superchargers teammate, Brydon Carse, is also dealing with fitness issues.
Carse, a fast bowler, has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by Sunrisers Hyderabad due to a recurring injury in his left foot.
The injury, caused by splitting the pointer toe after bowling on harder surfaces, has led to an infection after stitching the wound.
Carse played only one match in the Champions Trophy before being sidelined.
England Players Facing IPL Challenges
Carse’s absence adds to the list of England players struggling with injuries ahead of the IPL.
Reece Topley has been sidelined after undergoing hernia surgery, reducing the number of England players available for the competition to 10.
However, not all news is bad—young talent Jacob Bethell is fit to start the IPL after recovering from a hamstring issue and is expected to join Royal Challengers Bangalore next week.
As Stokes and his teammates continue their recovery and preparations for the year ahead, all eyes will be on their progress as they aim for success in both domestic and international cricket.