After five months on the sidelines, England skipper Ben Stokes is finally ready to return to the Test arena.
He’ll lead England in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe next week to kick off what promises to be a massive summer of cricket.
But this comeback isn’t just about getting back on the pitch—it’s about managing his body smarter than ever before.
The 33-year-old hasn’t played since tearing his left hamstring during England’s tour of New Zealand last December.
At the time, he wasn’t shy about expressing his determination.
On social media, he declared there was still “so much more left in this tank”—signing off with a fiery message that made headlines.
Now, as the countdown begins for a packed calendar featuring India at home and the Ashes Down Under, Stokes says his focus is firmly on staying fit for the long haul.
“Fittest I’ve Ever Been”—But With Caution
Speaking with Nasser Hussain in a Sky Sports interview, Stokes opened up about the long rehab process and how it’s changed his mindset.
“This has been one of the longest recovery periods I’ve had,” he shared.
“But I always come back fitter than before. I actually think I could be in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in.”
Still, he’s not ignoring the reality of his age and past injuries.
Stokes admitted that at 33, he can’t afford to ignore the signals his body gives him.
He wants to stay involved with the ball, not just the bat, but is determined not to push himself into unnecessary setbacks.
“It takes an injury to realise how fragile things can be,” he said.
He’s had some heart-to-hearts with coach Brendon McCullum about pacing himself and making smarter decisions on the field.
Frustrated by Doubts Over England’s Work Ethic
Despite England’s strong run in Tests under his leadership—22 wins in 35 matches—Stokes is still irked by critics who question the team’s professionalism.
He took issue with remarks made by former players like Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen during England’s recent white-ball tour of India.
They suggested the squad was more focused on golf than cricket.
“When you hear people say we don’t train hard enough or don’t care, it’s total nonsense,” Stokes said.
“Anyone who’s played at the top level knows how much work it takes to stay there.”
Focused on Consistency and Finishing Strong
Looking ahead, England’s first Test against India kicks off at Headingley on June 20.
But Stokes is already thinking beyond that, focusing on one key area where England has struggled—finishing series strongly.
“We’ve let ourselves down in the final games of a few recent series,” he admitted.
“Whether it’s tiredness or a drop in focus, we have to fix that.
The challenge is keeping the intensity up—mentally and physically—from start to finish.”
Target Set: Winning the Ashes in Australia
There’s no hiding what the big goal is this year. Stokes wants to bring the Ashes back home.
And for that, he’s calling on his team to adopt a bold, aggressive mindset.
“I want us to turn up in Australia with the belief that we’re going to dominate,” he said.
“If we can lock into that mentality, then whatever happens, we’ll know we gave it everything.”
Hope for Jofra Archer’s Return to Test Cricket
Stokes also gave an emotional update on teammate Jofra Archer, whose battle with injuries has been long and tough.
“There was a point where we weren’t sure if Jofra would ever play again,” Stokes revealed.
“For someone so young, that was heartbreaking.”
But there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel. Discussions are now focused on getting Archer back into shape for the longer format of the game.
Stokes said he’s confident Archer still has the hunger to return to Test cricket.
England’s Test Summer Begins May 22
The long-awaited return of Test cricket kicks off on May 22 at Trent Bridge when England host Zimbabwe.
It’s the start of a busy, high-stakes year for Ben Stokes and his men—and all eyes will be on how well the captain’s body (and plans) hold up.