Ben Stokes: England captain limps off with hamstring injury during final Test against New Zealand
Ben Stokes sustains suffers hamstring scare while bowling in Monday's third day of the final Test against New Zealand; England to now assess injury before making call on whether Stokes returns to bat in second innings with tourists 18-2 at the close of the third day, needing 640 to win
Monday 16 December 2024 11:53, UK
England captain Ben Stokes suffered a left-hamstring injury while bowling on the third day of the final Test against New Zealand and left the field of play.
Stokes will now undergo "further assessment" as to whether he will return to bat in England's second innings in Hamilton, with the tourists 18-2 at stumps, needing a mammoth 640 to win
The 33-year-old was sidelined for several weeks by a badly torn left hamstring earlier this year, missing four Tests after picking up the injury in The Hundred.
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"England captain Ben Stokes is currently receiving treatment for a left-hamstring issue," said an ECB statement issued shortly after the 33-year-old had limped off.
"He will not return to the field in this innings and will undergo further assessment to determine his availability to bat in England's second innings."
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'Maybe you manage his bowling loads' - what next for Stokes amid latest injury concern?
Stokes was two balls into his 13th over at the time of pulling up with the injury.
He has bowled 66.3 overs in the away series - his most in a single series as captain.
"We didn't see it coming," said assistant coach Marcus Trescothick.
"You don't have any signs for these sort of things, generally they just happen. But obviously it's the same hamstring that he's done before and it's always tough when you realise you're injured again.
"Maybe it's a case that you manage his bowling loads [from now on] and potentially he doesn't bowl the volume that he's bowled in this game.
"He works dramatically well with his fitness to try and get into the best shape he can be. He's been going so well, he's been bowling and playing the role that he does as an all-rounder and captain. We'll just have to look at how we manage it."
England are 2-0 up in the three-match away series, so are already assured of victory, but have been aiming for a clean sweep. However, that quest was made harder on Sunday when they were dismissed for a dismal 143 on the second day at Seddon Park and they toiled further on Monday as New Zealand racked up 453 in their second innings.
England's Test tour of New Zealand
- First Test (Christchurch): England won by eight wickets
- Second Test (Wellington): England won by 323 runs
- Third Test: December 14-18 (Hamilton)