Ben Stokes, England’s Test captain, is expected to miss the early rounds of the County Championship as he continues to recover from hamstring surgery. Durham’s coach, Ryan Campbell, confirmed that the all-rounder, who is still recovering from a second left hamstring tear, won’t feature for his county when the Championship kicks off this Friday.
Ben Stokes on the Road to Recovery
The 33-year-old was sidelined in December after injuring his hamstring for the second time in just five months. After undergoing surgery in the new year, Stokes has not played cricket since then. Durham’s first six County Championship matches fall before England’s Test against Zimbabwe on May 22, and Ben Stokes’ return is expected to be closer to that date.
Campbell explained, “My expectation is that there will be zero early-season appearances—anything else is an added bonus.” He further emphasized that Stokes needs time to recover fully and be ready for England’s busy summer schedule.
Stokes’ Dedication to Fitness
Despite his injury, Ben Stokes has been working tirelessly on his recovery. Campbell shared that the all-rounder has been training almost every day, even lifting weights the day after his surgery. “He’s such a hard-working bloke. He’ll do whatever it takes to be up and running for England,” Campbell added.
Stokes recently shared a video of himself bowling gently in the nets, showing his determination to return to full fitness.
England’s Summer Challenges
Stokes is a key player for England, not only as captain but also as a leader, with several major challenges ahead. After the Zimbabwe Test, England will face India in a five-match Test series before traveling to Australia for the Ashes later in the year.
In addition to his Test commitments, Stokes is also being considered for the role of England’s white-ball captain after Jos Buttler resigned following their early exit from the Champions Trophy— a tournament that Stokes missed due to his surgery.
Brydon Carse Also Recovering
Stokes’ Durham teammate, Brydon Carse, is also out of action, recovering from a toe injury that kept him out of the Champions Trophy. Carse, who was a standout performer for England during the winter with 27 wickets in five Tests, is another key player for England. However, his foot issues have resurfaced, affecting his availability for the upcoming season.
Campbell stressed that Carse’s recovery is crucial, especially given his potential in Test cricket. “He’s born for that sort of stuff,” said Campbell, highlighting the importance of getting Carse fit and ready for England’s demanding schedule.
Both players will play pivotal roles for England this year, and their recoveries will be closely watched as the summer series approach.
