Ben Stokes has confirmed his intention to feature in two County Championship fixtures for Durham in May, following a harrowing training incident that he describes as a "lucky" escape. The England Test captain suffered a fractured right cheekbone along with additional facial injuries when a cricket ball struck him directly in the face while he was coaching Durham’s academy squad in February. After undergoing surgery to repair the damage, Stokes is now on a clear pathway to return to action, with scheduled appearances against Worcestershire on May 8 and Kent on May 15. There is also the possibility that he could turn out for the England Lions in a match against South Africa A later in the month, all of which serve as crucial preparation ahead of the first summer Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
In an interview with the England and Wales Cricket Board, Stokes reflected on the incident with a mixture of humour and gratitude. "It was a pretty nasty blow, but oddly enough, the best outcome I could have hoped for from such a bad situation is that I walked away with only a broken cheekbone," he said. "I was hit straight on the face – just a few inches off, and if I hadn't turned my head at the last second, I might not be here giving this interview now." He went on to explain the severity of the surgery, noting that the operation left his cheekbone in a "mess" for a time, but he felt fortunate to have avoided more serious complications. "All things considered, even though I had major facial surgery, I consider myself lucky.
It set my preparation back by about a month, but I’m grateful that I can still aim to be ready for Durham’s early‑season matches," Stokes added. The setback forced Stokes to revisit his rehabilitation plan and devise a condensed schedule to ensure he would be match‑fit before the summer Test series.
"I had to go back to the drawing board quickly and put together a plan that would get me ready for a couple of games for Durham before the Test summer kicks off. I'm now at the final stage of that plan, but it was a scary period.
Thankfully I’m still here and everything is okay," he said. Stokes is expected to lead England in the opening Test of the season against New Zealand, a crucial series that offers the side a chance to rebound after a disappointing 4‑1 loss in the Ashes tour of Australia.
The captain also addressed speculation about his relationship with head coach Brendon McCullum, dismissing rumors that they are not on the same page. "When you share leadership with someone else, it’s unrealistic to think you’ll agree on everything. A healthy sporting environment thrives on debate and discussion, not on unanimous agreement," Stokes explained.
He highlighted the importance of constructive disagreement, noting that while he and McCullum share many common goals, they also have differing viewpoints that they work through. "We agree about 95 percent of the time. For the remaining five percent where we see things differently, we talk it through and reach a consensus that serves the team’s best interests. To say we weren’t aligned is a massive overstatement," he asserted.
In related news, England fast bowler Brydon Carse has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League after sustaining an injury to his bowling hand. The exact seriousness of the injury has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether he will be available for England’s summer programme. This marks the second consecutive season that Carse has missed the IPL – he previously withdrew due to a toe injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Carse, 30, has not played 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.
Fans can follow England’s home summer schedule live on Sky Sports, beginning with a three‑Test series against New Zealand from June 4. For those without a Sky subscription, the matches are also available to stream contract‑free on NOW, ensuring broad accessibility for cricket enthusiasts.
Overall, Stokes’ recovery story underscores both the physical risks inherent in the sport and the resilience required to overcome them. His determination to return swiftly, coupled with his candid remarks on leadership dynamics, provides a compelling narrative as England prepares to rewrite the narrative of their summer campaign.
The upcoming County Championship games will serve as a litmus test for his fitness, while the forthcoming Tests will offer a platform to gauge whether the team can translate lessons from the Ashes debacle into renewed success on home soil.