England Test captain Ben Stokes is planning to make his return to cricket in May after a 'lucky' escape from a serious training accident. Stokes was hit in the face by a cricket ball while coaching Durham's academy players in February, resulting in a broken right cheekbone and other facial injuries. He underwent surgery and is now on track to play for Durham against Worcestershire on May 8 and against Kent on May 15, as well as potentially featuring for England Lions against South Africa A later that month.
Stokes described the incident as 'pretty nasty' but expressed gratitude for the outcome, saying, 'I've got out quite lucky.' The accident set back his training by about a month, but he has been working to get back to full fitness in time for the start of the Test summer against New Zealand on June 4. Stokes is expected to lead England in the first Test at Lord's and has dismissed any suggestion of a rift with head coach Brendon McCullum, emphasizing the importance of healthy debate and discussion in their working relationship. Meanwhile, England fast bowler Brydon Carse has withdrawn from the IPL due to an injury to his bowling hand, with the severity of the injury still to be determined.