Ben Stokes has announced his intention to line up for two County Championship fixtures with Durham in May, following a harrowing incident in February that left him with a fractured cheekbone and other facial injuries. The England Test captain was struck directly in the face by a cricket ball while coaching Durham's academy squad, an accident he describes as a "lucky" escape given how severe the impact could have been. The blow caused a broken right cheekbone, bruising and a host of other facial trauma, necessitating immediate surgery. After the operation, Stokes embarked on a rigorous rehabilitation programme designed to restore his strength, balance and confidence at the crease.
Despite the setback, the recovery timetable is now on track for him to feature for Durham against Worcestershire on May 8 and against Kent on May 15. There is also a realistic prospect of him being selected for the England Lions side when they take on South Africa A later in the month, which would provide a valuable stepping‑stone before the first Test of the summer against New Zealand at Lord's on June 4. Speaking to the ECB in a candid interview, Stokes reflected on the incident: "It was pretty nasty, but oddly enough, the best possible outcome of a bad situation.
I took a direct hit to the face – just a couple of inches off the mark could have meant I wouldn't be here doing this interview today if I hadn't turned my head at the last second." He went on to acknowledge the seriousness of the injury, noting, "I had major facial surgery to repair the cheekbone – it was a mess under there – but I got out of it quite lucky. I'm very grateful for that." He admitted that the injury delayed his preparation by roughly a month, forcing him to revise his preseason plan. "I had to go back to the drawing board quickly and devise a new schedule that would get me ready for a couple of games with Durham before the Test summer kicks off. I'm at the back end of that process now, but it was a scary period.
Thankfully I'm still here and everything's alright," Stokes said. Stokes is expected to lead England in the opening Test against New Zealand, a match that offers the team a chance to rebound after the 4‑1 drubbing they suffered in the Ashes series over the winter. In addition to his on‑field duties, the captain addressed rumours of a rift with head coach Brendon McCullum.
He dismissed any suggestion that the two are out of sync, emphasizing that healthy disagreement is essential in high‑performance sport. "When you're in a leadership position alongside someone else, it's unrealistic to think you'll agree on everything. A culture where everyone simply says yes to the person at the top isn't healthy.
You need debate, you need discussion, and that's how you reach the goals you share," Stokes explained. He added, "Brendon and I are similar in many ways, but we also have differences. What matters is that we both want the team to be as successful as possible.
We agree about 95 % of the time; for the remaining five percent we talk it through and arrive at a solution that works for both of us. To say we weren't aligned is a massive overstatement." The interview also touched on other England news, including fast bowler Brydon Carse's withdrawal from the IPL due to an injury to his bowling hand. While the exact severity of Carse's problem remains unclear, Sky Sports reports that it is too early to gauge his availability for England's summer programme. This marks the second consecutive season Carse has missed an IPL campaign without playing a single match, following a toe injury that ended his 2025 stint with the Sunrisers.
Carse, now 30, has not featured in competitive cricket since the fifth Test of the Ashes series in Sydney, where he was England's leading wicket‑taker with 22 dismissals at an average of 30.31. His absence from the IPL and the domestic season adds another variable to England's fast‑bowling resources ahead of the New Zealand series.
Fans can follow the home summer series live on Sky Sports, beginning with the three‑Test series against New Zealand from June 4. For those without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW without a contract, ensuring broader access to the action. Overall, Stokes' determination to return to county cricket in May demonstrates his commitment to regaining form and fitness ahead of the crucial Test window.
His candid reflections on the training accident, the rehabilitation process, and the dynamics with the coaching staff provide insight into the resilience and leadership required at the highest level of the game. As the summer approaches, England will be watching closely to see how Stokes and his teammates translate these preparations into performances on the field, hoping to restore confidence after a challenging winter and to set a positive tone for the season ahead.