Ben Stokes injury ‘so much worse than what you think’, reveals coach

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell has warned that Ben Stokes’ facial injury is “so, so much worse than what you think,” as the England Test captain is ruled out of the county’s opening County Championship match against Kent. The setback prolongs a rehabilitation process that began in early February when a ball struck Stokes flush on the face while he stood close to a Durham academy net session, fracturing his cheekbone and requiring surgery.

Campbell, speaking on Saturday, painted a stark picture of the incident: “A couple of centimetres a different way it hits him in the eye and it could have been different. The ball was hit so hard. We are just lucky he got away with it.”

The delay compounds a turbulent period for Stokes, who recently presided over a 4-1 Ashes defeat. Despite the series loss triggering an internal review and reports of tension between Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, the all-rounder has retained the captaincy alongside McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key. Off-field headlines also emerged after players, notably Ben Duckett, were reported to have engaged in heavy drinking in Noosa following England’s sole victory.

Campbell insists Stokes is using the lay-off to reset. “He has been training so hard to be ready. He has a lot to prove. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know the Ashes didn’t go so well, and he is a proud man who wants England to be the best team in the world.”

Although Durham do not expect their skipper back before early May, Stokes remains eager to play 50-over cricket this season after already withdrawing from The Hundred. With New Zealand’s tour beginning on 4 June, the 2019 World Cup winner is targeting sufficient match practice ahead of the first Test. For now, recovery, rhythm and full fitness dominate his agenda.