Stokes Expresses Frustration Over Recent Hamstring Setback
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Hamilton, Dec 17 (NationPress) England captain Ben Stokes is notably unhappy with his new hamstring injury but insists he will not hold back despite this recent challenge.
Stokes exited the field limping on the third day of England's 423-run defeat against New Zealand in the third Test held in Hamilton. He is set to have a scan on Wednesday.
The 23 overs he bowled on the first day represented his highest workload in a single day. His total of 36.2 overs in the match was the most he has bowled in over two years, while the 66.1 overs he delivered during this series signify his highest tally as captain.
"I'm obviously very disappointed, but every setback I come back stronger. There's no doubt I'll be going away from here, working (hard) as I always do and getting myself back to where I was in this game," Stokes told BBC Sport.
The all-rounder's bowling contributions throughout 2023 were hindered by a lingering left knee issue, for which he had surgery a year ago.
In August, he faced his initial hamstring injury during The Hundred, necessitating his absence from three Tests against Sri Lanka and one against Pakistan. Stokes later acknowledged that the effort to regain fitness for the last two Tests in Pakistan took a mental toll. However, he appeared to be back to his best in New Zealand, the country of his birth.
In Hamilton, while bowling his third over on the third day, Stokes pulled up during his follow-through. Clearly emotional, he departed the field and did not return for the match. Although a scan was originally anticipated before the fourth day, it was postponed until after the Test.
"There's no doubt I was incredibly frustrated last night, especially considering how much effort I'd put in until then. I felt so good about everything. I felt my rhythm was back with the ball; I bowled a lot of overs, and my body was feeling good. The first time I feel like a young man again is when I pick something else up," Stokes stated.
The 33-year-old emphasized he will not refrain from bowling lengthy spells and referred to the new hamstring injury as 'one of those unfortunate things'.
"It's just one of those unfortunate things. I ain't holding back. Every time you walk out on the field, you're at risk of injury. You can't play for anything in this game," Stokes expressed.
England's next Test series will take place at home against Zimbabwe, scheduled for May. This will be succeeded by a high-profile series at home against India and away in Australia, for which Stokes' availability will be vital.
England coach Brendon McCullum noted that he might have to remind Stokes 'he's not as young as he used to be' while ensuring his 'flair' remains intact.
"That's what makes him great. He takes himself to places that other people aren't prepared to. He constantly pushes boundaries of where he thinks he can take his body," McCullum said.
"If you try to chisel off any rough edges of those types of mavericks, you end up with a vanilla product, and no one wants that. We want Ben Stokes being the maverick that he is. We'll have to deal with it occasionally; he's going to sustain a little bit of injury. That's life, right? You can't prepare for every scenario."
