England Test captain, Ben Stokes, is not expected to play for Durham in the opening rounds of their County Championship as he recovers from hamstring surgery. Though he is not playing in any game for Durham currently, Stokes is working hard to get fit for England’s packed Test schedule this summer.
Ben Stokes’ Injury and Rehabilitation Process
Ben Stokes has been recuperating from a hamstring injury that has prevented him from playing since the beginning of the year. The 33-year-old allrounder suffered a hamstring tear twice in six months, with the latest setback coming in England’s last Test match of their New Zealand tour.
Since then, Stokes has concentrated on his rehabilitation, such as recent developments in his recovery, which have had him resuming bowling again, as viewed in a recent Instagram post.
Ben Stokes To Miss Playing For Durham
Ryan Campbell, the head coach of Durham, has confirmed that Ben Stokes will miss some county cricket at the beginning of the season. However, Campbell is confident Stokes will be fit for England’s summer Test series for which the first match is against Zimbabwe on May 22, 2025.Remove term: Ben Stokes Injury
Campbell expects Stokes will be fit to undertake a tough workload involving a five-match series against India, followed by an Ashes tour of Australia later in the year.
Campbell added that Stokes has been working non-stop in his rehabilitation, making regular visits to Durham’s Chester-le-Street complex. Stokes has demonstrated his dedication by undertaking shuttle runs and taking part in grueling physical training sessions.
Still, Campbell added that Stokes is unlikely to appear in any County Championship matches for Durham this summer, particularly with the need to maintain his fitness for international cricket.
Test Summer Focus: Ben Stokes readies himself for 11 Tests
England’s Test skipper is spending the coming weeks rehabilitating his fitness in preparation for the Test summer. With 11 Test matches lined up between summer and winter, including the Ashes series in Australia, Stokes is focusing on getting his body ready for the hectic workload.
He will not be featuring in the Hundred in August, having already withdrawn from his deal with the Northern Superchargers to focus on recovery following the India series and before the Ashes in November.
Ryan Campbell’s Comments on Stokes’ Work Ethic
Ryan Campbell praised Ben Stokes’ focus on his recovery, noting the effort he’s put in. Campbell said, “What we do know about Stokesy is that he comes in here nearly every day and works his butt off.”
“The guy had hamstring surgery the day prior and was in the next day doing weights; I couldn’t believe it. He sets the standard no matter where he is.” Campbell’s comments reflect the commitment Stokes has shown during the entire rehabilitation process.
While it’s clear that Stokes is committed to being fit for England, Campbell said for Durham fans, if Stokes plays a game or two in the County Championship, that would be a by-product. “If he plays a game or two along the way, that’s great. If he doesn’t play a game or two, I know he’ll follow the scores and call me to tell me what we should and shouldn’t be doing.”
Brydon Carse and Mark Wood: Also Healing at Durham
In addition to Ben Stokes, two other high-profile England players, Brydon Carse and Mark Wood, are recuperating from injuries in the care of Durham’s medical team. Carse, who is suffering from a left toe injury, and Wood, whose left knee was operated on recently, are both critical to England’s plans, particularly for the coming Ashes tour of Australia.
However, Wood’s injury has ruled him out of the Test summer, while Carse’s foot issues need careful management before he can return to action.
Brydon Carse’s Role in England’s Test Plans
Ryan Campbell stressed that Brydon Carse is England’s selectors’ priority, considering his contribution in the last Test series against Pakistan and New Zealand. Carse was a star performer in Test cricket, claiming 27 wickets at a remarkable average of 19.85 in five games.
But because of his persistent foot issues, Campbell again stressed the need to get Carse fully fit before he is summoned for England’s summer and winter Test programs.
ALSO READ: PBKS vs LSG IPL 2025 Predictions: Pitch Report And Head To Head
