Ben Stokes found himself on the receiving end of a brutal black eye, defying a cardinal rule for cricket coaches. The England cricket luminary shared a photo on Instagram showcasing his facial injuries, including a severely bruised eye, scratches on his face, and a bandaged nose. Maintaining his sense of humor, Stokes quipped, “You should see the state of the cricket ball.”
The origin of Stokes’ injuries was disclosed as he was imparting coaching to academy players at Durham’s indoor facility. During the session, young batsman Robbie Bowman accidentally struck a ball towards Stokes, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Following the mishap, Stokes was swiftly taken to the hospital, where he reassured Bowman. Reflecting on the incident, Durham coach Ryan Campbell revealed that Stokes acknowledged breaking a key coaching rule by turning his back on the batter.
Despite facing a series of challenges, including a groin injury from the final Ashes Test, Stokes is gearing up for a potential return to action with Durham ahead of England’s upcoming Test against Australia in June. Campbell noted Stokes’ promising form during batting practice and his intention to participate in several county championship matches before the Test.
With his contract extending until the 2027 Ashes series, Stokes is anticipated to transition into coaching post-retirement, having already amassed 120 Test appearances for England.