Stokes suffers facial injury after being struck by ball at nets session

Ben Stokes has suffered a black eye and significant facial bruising after being struck on the cheek by a ball.

Stokes, England‘s Test captain, revealed the injury via Instagram story on Thursday, joking: “You should see the state of the ball.”

It is understood that Stokes was not batting or bowling when he sustained the injury, and was instead standing at the side of a nets session.

Stokes has been in rehabilitation since leaving the field with an adductor injury during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney last month.

He is due to be in Abu Dhabi later this month to continue his recovery and will also link up with Andrew Flintoff’s England Lions squad in an informal coaching capacity.

Stokes has not played white-ball cricket for England since the 50-over World Cup in 2023, and is not involved in their squad for the T20 World Cup, which starts this weekend.

His next international appearance is likely to come in the first Test of England’s home series against New Zealand in June, though he may play for Durham in the County Championship before then.

Stokes said after England’s 4-1 defeat in Australia that he is “as keen as anything” to continue in his role as Test captain, and backed Brendon McCullum to carry on as head coach.

“It’s not my decision [but] I’m sure if something ever comes to it, I’ll be asked my opinion and he’ll be getting my full support and backing,” Stokes said.

“I absolutely love working with Baz. He’s a great man and he’s a very, very, very good coach.” (ESPNcricinfo)