England Test captain Ben Stokes limped off the field while bowling on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Sunday, December 1. The pacer was unable to complete the 58th over of the innings, delivering only three balls before leaving the field.
Stokes’ ongoing knee issues have limited his ability to perform as an all-rounder in recent times. After undergoing surgery in late 2023, he bowled just five overs during the final Test of the India series in Dharamshala. He increased his workload, bowling nearly 50 overs in England’s 3-0 win over the West Indies.
Unfortunately, an injury while playing for the Northern Superchargers sidelined him for the Sri Lanka series. Stokes returned to bowl 10 overs in the series opener against Pakistan before spin-friendly pitches dominated proceedings.
Stokes bowled 13 overs in New Zealand’s first innings, his highest workload in a single innings since 2022. However, disaster struck during his seventh over in the second innings. After receiving treatment, the skipper returned to the field but appeared visibly uncomfortable while walking.
“It’s more about management than anything else”- Ben Stokes
New Zealand were struggling at 193-8 when Stokes left the field. Despite some resistance from Daryl Mitchell, the hosts were eventually dismissed for 254 in their second innings. England chased down the modest target with ease, wrapping it up within 13 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
After the match, Stokes downplayed injury concerns, stating he is ready for the next Test.
“I’ve not spent that much time out in the middle for a long time. It’s been a pretty heavy week this week: a lot of time in the field, bowled 20 overs, and then spent some time out in the middle. I hurt my back diving for a ball as well,” Stokes said during the post-match presentation.
“It’s more management than anything else: with where we were in the game, it didn’t feel necessary to eke out any more balls than I needed to. I think the body is going to be good for this outing, and I’m raring to go for Wellington,” he added.
The second Test of the series is set to begin on Friday, December 6, at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
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