Ben Stokes limps off mid-over to raise fresh injury concerns during 1st ENG vs NZ 2024 TestÂ
England Test captain Ben Stokes was seen limping off while bowling during Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday, December 1. The right-arm pacer couldn't complete the 58th over of the innings, bowling just three deliveries before walking away.
Stokes' knee injury concerns had not allowed him to function as an all-rounder in recent times. He underwent surgery for the same in late 2023, but bowled only five overs during the India tour, that too in the final Test in Dharamshala. He increased his workload during the home red-ball season, bowling close to 50 overs in the 3-0 rout over the West Indies.
However, an injury while playing for the Northern Superchargers meant he had to miss the Sri Lanka series. He bowled 10 overs in the series opener against Pakistan before rank turners took over.
Stokes had bowled 13 overs in the first innings against New Zealand, the biggest shift he has put in innings-wise since 2022. He was into his seventh over during the second innings when disaster struck. When the skipper returned to the field after treatment, he was seen walking around in discomfort.
"It's more management than anything else" - Ben Stokes
New Zealand were tottering at 193-8 when Stokes went off the field. The hosts showed some resistance to stretch their lead, courtesy of Daryl Mitchell's vigil, but were bowled out for 254 runs in the second innings. England made easy work of the meager target, hunting it down inside 13 overs to go 1-0 up in the series.
Stokes played down the injury concerns after the match, claiming he is raring to go in the next Test.
"I've not spent that much time out in the middle for a long time. It's been a pretty heavy week this week: a lot of time in the field, bowled 20 overs, and then spent some time out in the middle. I hurt my back diving for a ball as well," Stokes said during the post-match presentation.
"It's more management than anything else: with where we were in the game, it didn't feel necessary to eke out any more balls than I needed to. I think the body is going to be good for this outing, and I'm raring to go for Wellington," he added.
The second match of the series is scheduled to take place at the Basin Reserve in Wellington starting Friday, December 6.