Ben Stokes still recovering
England Test captain Ben Stokes is still recovering from a broken cheekbone — the AP reports he suffered the injury earlier in the year and has been in recovery since the final Ashes Test in Sydney. His status remains a watchpoint for England going into future Test windows. (apnews.com) (sports.ndtv.com)
Stokes underwent surgery on Feb. 5 after being struck in the face by a ball hit by 18‑year‑old Durham academy player Robbie Bowman while he was standing at the side of a nets session. (espn.com.au (espn.com.au)) (espn.com.au) He posted hospital images showing heavy bruising to his right eye and an incision on his cheek and described the operation as "a success" in an Instagram update. (espn.com.au (espn.com.au)) (espn.com.au) Durham now expect Stokes to miss the first month of the County Championship and have said he is unlikely to play before their fifth fixture, against Worcestershire starting May 8. (espncricinfo.com (espncricinfo.com)) (espncricinfo.com) Head coach Ryan Campbell warned the impact "could have been horrific" and said Stokes must be cleared by specialists before returning to competitive action. (espncricinfo.com (espncricinfo.com)) (espncricinfo.com) Reports from Sky Sports and The Telegraph say he is pencilled to play only two County fixtures — Worcestershire (May 8) and Kent (May 15) — before England's first Test of the summer at Lord's, which starts June 4. (skysports.com (skysports.com); telegraph.co.uk (telegraph.co.uk)) (skysports.com) While recovering, Stokes has been involved in coaching work with the England Lions in Abu Dhabi and is expected to link up with the Lions again in a non‑playing capacity as he rebuilds toward a potential May return. (espn.com.au (espn.com.au)) (espn.com.au)
