England Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all forms of cricket for a minimum of three months following a left hamstring tear sustained during the recent Test series against New Zealand in Hamilton. As a result, Stokes will miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the upcoming Hundred competition, which begins on January 9.
The injury, which occurred despite England’s 2-1 series victory, is the latest setback in a challenging period for Stokes. The all-rounder had undergone knee surgery in October 2023 after the ODI World Cup, and a similar hamstring injury in August curtailed his involvement in the English summer season. Despite these struggles, Stokes had been optimistic about his fitness ahead of the Hamilton Test, expressing confidence in his ability to manage increased bowling workloads.
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The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate as Stokes had opted out of the IPL 2024 mega auction to focus on his fitness. This latest injury forces England to reassess their strategy for the upcoming season, impacting both Test cricket and limited-overs competitions.
With Stokes’s absence, England will need to make adjustments to their plans for the crucial months ahead, including the absence of their key all-rounder in upcoming international competitions.
