Ben Stokes Aims for May Return After Narrowly Escaping Serious Injury in Training

England Test captain Ben Stokes is planning to make his comeback in two County Championship matches for Durham in May, following a 'lucky' escape from a serious facial injury sustained during a training accident. Stokes suffered a broken cheekbone and other facial injuries after being hit by a cricket ball while coaching Durham's academy players in February. He underwent surgery and is now on track to play for Durham against Worcestershire on May 8 and Kent on May 15, as well as potentially featuring for England Lions against South Africa A in late May. Stokes reflected on the training incident, saying, 'It was pretty nasty, but probably the best result of a bad situation.' He added that he had to 'quickly go back to the drawing board' to put a plan together to get ready for the Test summer, which includes England's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on June 4. Stokes is expected to lead England in the first Test and has dismissed any suggestion that he and head coach Brendon McCullum are not aligned after the dismal tour of Australia, emphasizing the importance of debate and discussion in healthy and successful sporting relationships. Meanwhile, England fast bowler Brydon Carse has withdrawn from the IPL due to an injury to his bowling hand, with the severity of the injury still unclear.