Ben Stokes was last seen in action for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. During a game against Punjab Kings, he injured his finger while attempting a catch of Chris Gayle. Consequently, he was ruled out of the remainder of the IPL as well as England’s Test series against New Zealand.
The scans reported that the all-rounder sustained a fracture on his left index finger and thus underwent surgery for it. Though the ECB hasn’t given an update on the all-rounder, it is likely that Ben will make a comeback to competitive cricket during the T20 Blast.
ECB is determined to get the English all-rounder match-fit and ready for the five-match Test series between India and England, scheduled to start from August 4. Ben Stokes will be playing for Durham in the T20 Blast. It will also be his first appearance in the event after a gap of 3 years.
‘Too early to say exactly when I will be back for Durham.’ – Stokes
Stokes is expected to take part in one of four T20 games scheduled for Durham in the June 15-20 window, according to a report read on ESPNCricinfo.
“Details of Stokes’s comeback are yet to be confirmed by the ECB and he could target one of the back-to-back 2nd XI T20s against Lancashire on June 14, but Durham have four fixtures in the Blast from June 15-20 and he is likely to return in one of them,” the report said.
In a column for the Daily Mail, Ben Stokes had written that he was recovering well and expects to start training full-time just around the corner.
“I am able to bowl, I am able to get in the gym and I am able to hit some balls again so I am at an exciting point of my recovery where full-on training is not that far away and then I can start thinking about playing in a match again. It is still too early to say exactly when I will be back for Durham, but I have had a good start,” the all-rounder had written.
