Fresh injury scare for Ben Stokes as the English skipper walks off the field during 3rd NZ vs ENG Test 2024
England skipper Ben Stokes hobbled off the field midway while bowling his 13th over in the second innings of the third Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The all-rounder sustained a hamstring injury, which will keep him out of action for the remainder of Day 3 of the Test.
"England captain Ben Stokes, is currently receiving treatment for a left hamstring issue. 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," a statement from the England Cricket Board (ECB) read
He put in a huge shift in the ongoing Test, bowling 36.2 overs until his injury. This marks the most overs he has bowled in a single Test since the Trent Bridge clash against New Zealand in 2022, during his first series as captain. On that occasion, he had bowled 40 overs.
The all-rounder had walked off the field while bowling in the first Test against New Zealand at Christchurch too. He increased his bowling load gradually, after recovering from his knee surgery. He got into the attack only during the fifth Test against India in Dharamshala, earlier this year. He then bowled on a regular basis during the home season, gaining some rhythm.
Stokes sustained a major injury to his left hamstring while playing for the Northern Superchargers during The Hundred 2024 season. It led to him missing the entirety of the home series against Sri Lanka, and the series opener against Pakistan in the subcontinent, where Ollie Pope led in his absence.
Ben Stokes and co. comprehensively outplayed by New Zealand in the third Test
Coming into the series finale on the back of an unassailable lead of 2-0, England's hopes of a whitewash vanished after being skittled out for 143 in the first innings after New Zealand amassed 347 on their turn with the bat.
Stokes had put in a serious shift in the first innings, bowling 24 overs with the wicket of Matt Henry to show for his efforts. In the second innings, he delivered 12.2 overs, dismissing William O'Rourke and Will Young.
Kane Williamson's 33rd ton stretched New Zealand's lead well past the 500-run mark with more than two days remaining in the match. As of writing, the hosts are placed at 368-5, boasting a lead of 572 runs. In Stokes' absence, Jacob Bethell has bowled a lengthy spell, and it remains to be seen whether the skipper will be fit enough to bat in the fourth innings.