Ben Stokes has sustained a black eye and facial bruising after being struck on the cheek by a ball.
England’s Test captain disclosed the injury on Instagram on Thursday and posted an image of the damage. He wrote: “You should see the state of the ball.”
Stokes was not batting or bowling at the time of the incident and was standing to the side of a nets session when he was hit.
He has been in rehabilitation since leaving the field with an adductor injury during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney last month. He is scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi later this month to continue his recovery and is set to link up with Andrew Flintoff’s England Lions squad in an informal coaching role.
Stokes has not featured in white ball internationals for England since the 50 over World Cup in 2023 and is not part of the squad for the T20 World Cup, which begins this weekend.
His next international appearance is expected to come in the opening Test of England’s home series against New Zealand in June. A return for Durham in the County Championship could precede that fixture.
After England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, Stokes said he remains committed to his role as Test captain and voiced support for head coach Brendon McCullum.
“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.”
