England Test captain Ben Stokes is on track to play for Durham in May after a freak training accident left him with a broken cheekbone and other facial injuries. Stokes was hit in the face by a cricket ball while coaching Durham's academy players in February but is now recovering well after surgery.
He plans to feature in two County Championship matches for Durham, against Worcestershire on May 8 and Kent on May 15, as well as potentially playing for England Lions against South Africa A later that month. Stokes reflected on the incident, saying it was 'pretty nasty' but he felt 'lucky' to have escaped more serious harm. He is expected to lead England in their first Test of the summer against New Zealand at Lord's, starting on June 4. Stokes also dismissed suggestions of a rift with head coach Brendon McCullum, saying that differences of opinion are a natural and healthy part of their working relationship.
Meanwhile, England fast bowler Brydon Carse has withdrawn from the IPL due to a hand injury, with the severity of the injury still to be determined.