Picture Credit: X
England’s red-ball captain Ben Stokes on Monday, December 16 sustained a fresh injury while bowling on third day of the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. Coming out to bowl his 13th over and 56th over of the New Zealand inning in the final Test, Stokes was seen clutching to his left hamstring.
The incident took place soon after the second delivery of the 56th over. Stokes delivered a short of a length outside off delivery which Rachin Ravindra pulled it down to the ground for a boundary. Although the ball went for a four, Stokes was on the ground, clutching his left leg. Although, the physio came in to check on him, but the English all-rounder left the field of play immediately.
Ben Stokes leaves field mid-way his 13th over with hamstring injury
The 33-year-old’s over was however completed by Jacob Bethell, ruling him out for the day in the ongoing third Test at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. The England team management was quick to release a statement confirming that Stokes was receiving treatment on his left hamstring. They also confirmed that he would not take the field during the Kiwi innings, while his availability for England’s second innings will be determined after further assessment.
“Tough news to take. Whishing you all the best in your recovery, Ben,” England captioned the post on X. Notably, the 33-year-old had previously suffered a torn hamstring on the same leg in August and was forced to leave the field midway through the day due to discomfort.
Moreover, the latest setback comes after the English all-rounder missed the entire three-match Test series at home against Sri Lanka in August-September due to initial hamstring injury. He was then deemed fit to join the side for the tour of Pakistan in October. Speaking of his bowling spell of 12.2 overs in the Kiwi innings, Stokes conceded 52 runs at an economy of 4.20, scalping two wickets of Will Young and William ORourke.
