Ben Stokes’ Return from Injury
England’s cricket team has announced that captain Ben Stokes is set to participate in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, which begins in just 12 days. The all-rounder has been sidelined since early August due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred tournament.
At 33 years old, Stokes underwent a scan on Wednesday, which confirmed a positive recovery trajectory. An official statement from the England team indicated that he has healed sufficiently from his injury, allowing him to join the squad for the three-match Test series starting on October 7 in Multan.
During Stokes’ absence, England triumphed over Sri Lanka with a 2-1 series victory, led by Ollie Pope as the stand-in captain. The return of Stokes is highly anticipated, but questions remain regarding his match fitness and whether he will perform at his usual high standard early in the series.
Stokes Addresses Recovery and Fitness Concerns
In an interview with Sky Sports on Tuesday, Stokes discussed the possibility of bowling in the first Test. He emphasized the need for caution, saying, “I think you might be a bit presumptuous. I haven’t done any gym work or training for six and a half weeks.” He noted that recovery involves more than just his hamstring, as bowling requires the engagement of multiple body parts.
Reflecting on his recovery, Stokes stated, “I feel good. I have a scan tomorrow to assess my progress over the past six weeks and will know more after that, but I’m feeling optimistic.” He explained the nature of his injury, revealing that it was a hamstring tear that affected his tendon, which prolonged his recovery by one to two weeks compared to a typical hamstring injury.
With Stokes unable to play during the Sri Lanka series, England adapted by shifting wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to the number six position and including an extra bowler to fill Stokes’ role.
Stokes’ potential to play as a batsman only could influence team selection. If England maintains their dominance over Sri Lanka, Stokes may need to bat in the top five, which could displace a regular top-order player. To navigate this, the team could revert to a four-pronged frontline bowling attack, complemented by Joe Root’s spin bowling—an approach that proved effective earlier this year when Stokes was sidelined with a knee injury during the tour of India.
In their last visit to Pakistan in 2022, England achieved a historic 3-0 victory, marking the first time an away team completed a clean sweep of three Test matches in the country. The upcoming series presents an exciting opportunity for Ben Stokes to showcase his leadership and skill once more on the international stage.
