England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, has been sidelined for at least three months due to a torn left hamstring, marking yet another setback in his illustrious cricketing career.
The injury occurred during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton earlier this month, where England suffered a 423-run defeat. Despite the loss, England clinched the three-match series 2-1.
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Stokes sustained the injury while delivering a bouncer in New Zealand’s second innings. It’s the same hamstring he had torn in August 2023 while playing in The Hundred, which sidelined him for two months. 
A recurrence of the tear was confirmed following scans upon his return to England. Consequently, Stokes has been ruled out of England’s upcoming white-ball tour of India and the 2024 Champions Trophy.
This latest injury adds to Stokes’ struggles with long-term fitness issues. Following knee surgery in October 2023, he worked hard to regain form and fitness for England’s home summer. Despite his best efforts, his workload, particularly in the New Zealand series, seemed to take a toll. Stokes bowled 36.2 overs in Hamilton, his most in a Test since 2022, including 23 overs on the first day alone.
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Reflecting on his injury history, Stokes admitted that he had pushed himself to physical limits to perform his dual role as a batter and bowler. His determination often led him to “drain and ruin himself,” as he confessed. Despite the setbacks, Stokes remains optimistic about overcoming his challenges, emphasizing his commitment to fitness and the game.
Stokes’ absence will be felt keenly, especially as England faces a packed schedule. With key fixtures like a five-Test series against India in June and the 2025/26 Ashes on the horizon, England management has prioritized his long-term health. This decision also means Stokes will forgo lucrative opportunities, including an £800,000 deal with MI Cape Town in the SA20 League starting in January.
Meanwhile, England’s ODI and T20 squads for the India tour have seen some fresh inclusions. Joe Root and Mark Wood return to the fold after significant absences, while rising star Jacob Bethell and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed add depth to the lineup. Jos Buttler retains his role as white-ball captain, but with competition in the wicketkeeping department, his position behind the stumps could be under review.
Despite England’s recent struggles in limited-overs cricket, losing both their 50-over and T20 World Cup titles in 2023, the team remains focused on rebuilding. Stokes, although sidelined, continues to inspire his teammates with his relentless work ethic and unwavering dedication to the sport.
As Stokes begins another period of rehabilitation, he remains determined to make a strong comeback. “I work harder because I have to,” he said. England fans will be hoping to see their talismanic leader back in action when the team resumes Test cricket against Zimbabwe in May at Trent Bridge.
He said, "I have to work so much harder on the physical side of the job to allow me to go out and do my job but I got a good amount of overs in during the last two games and I am more confident about getting through a lot of spells in a day."
"That is where I got to before I pulled my hamstring. I bowled nice in the summer, had a setback but now feel out of that and not worrying about anything else happening again. As you get older you think about your body a bit more but I work harder because I have to," he concluded.
READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/uncapped-all-rounder-to-replace-ashwin-in-the-indian-squad-ahead-of-boxing-day-test-reports/">Uncapped All-rounder to replace Ashwin in the Indian Squad ahead of Boxing Day Test</a>

Ben Stokes Pulled his Hamstring (Getty Images)

England Test captain Ben Stokes faces a three-month cricket hiatus due to a recurring hamstring injury, missing key tournaments as England prioritizes his long-term fitness amidst a packed schedule.

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