Ben Stokes: England Test captain targets May return after 'lucky' escape when hit in the face by cricket ball in training
England's Ben Stokes on the broken cheekbone injury that has delayed his start to the 2026 domestic season: "I copped [a ball] straight in the face. Just a couple of inches one way or the other, I might not be here doing this interview, if I didn't turn my head round"
Wednesday 15 April 2026 14:02, UK
Ben Stokes says he plans to return for two County Championship matches with Durham in May, after admitting he had a 'lucky' escape when hit in the face by a cricket ball in training.
The England Test captain suffered a broken right cheekbone and other facial injuries following the accident that occurred while he was coaching Durham's academy players in February.
Stokes underwent surgery and, following the setback, is on track to play for Durham against Worcestershire (May 8) and against Kent (May 15) - as well as potentially featuring for England Lions versus South Africa A in late May - ahead of the first Test of the summer against New Zealand on June 4.
- Ben Stokes refutes talk of rift with Brendon McCullum
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"Pretty nasty but, funnily, probably the best result of a bad situation, to be honest," Stokes said of the training incident as part of an interview with the ECB.
"I copped one straight in the face. Just a couple of inches one way or the other, I might not be here doing this interview, if I didn't turn my head round.
"All things considered, although I had pretty major facial surgery to sort it out - it was a bit of a mess under here (cheekbone) - I've got out quite lucky. So pretty thankful for that.
"It obviously set everything back about a month, with getting back to where I wanted to be to play at the start of the season for Durham.
"I just had to sort of quickly go back to the drawing board and put a plan together to get me ready to play a couple of games for Durham before the Test summer starts.
"I'm at the back end of all that now but it was a pretty scary situation. Thankfully still here and everything's all right."
'Massive overstatement' - Stokes refutes McCullum rift claims
Stokes is expected to be ready to lead England in their first Test of the summer against New Zealand at Lord's as they look to bounce back from their 4-1 Ashes drubbing over the winter.
The Test captain has dismissed any suggestion that he and head coach Brendon McCullum are not aligned after the dismal tour of Australia, insisting that differences of opinion are integral to healthy and successful sporting relationships.
"When you're in a position of leadership with someone else, if anyone thinks you're always going to agree on everything, then it's just impossible," Stokes said.
"To me, that isn't a healthy environment for sport, where everyone just agrees with everyone or says yes to the person up there. You need debate. You need discussions. Then you end up getting to the place you both want to reach.
"As similar as me and Brendon are, we're also dissimilar in other areas. But the thing we both want is to be as successful as we possibly can.
"We agree 95 per cent of the time, but for the five per cent where we have different views, we talk it through and end up getting to where we want to be.
"Agreeing on every single thing is impossible. Saying we weren't aligned is a massive overstatement."
Carse withdraws from IPL with hand injury
England fast bowler Brydon Carse has withdrawn from the IPL due to an injury to his bowling hand.
Sky Sports News understands that the severity of the injury is not clear yet and it is too early to make an assessment over his participation for England this summer.
It is the second time in as many seasons Carse has had to pull out of the IPL without playing a game for the Sunrisers squad, following a toe injury that ended his 2025 campaign.
The 30-year-old has not played any cricket since the fifth Test of England's 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Sydney. Carse played in all five Tests and finished as the tourists leading wicket-taker with 22 at an average of 30.31.
Watch England's home international summer live on Sky Sports, starting with a three-Test series against New Zealand from June 4. Not got Sky? Stream cricket contract-free on NOW.
