Stokes set to miss Ashes

Published October 8, 2021
In this Sept 7, 2017 file photo, England's Ben Stokes holds up the ball after taking his sixth wicket on the first day of the third test match between England and the West Indies at Lord's cricket ground in London. — AP/File
In this Sept 7, 2017 file photo, England's Ben Stokes holds up the ball after taking his sixth wicket on the first day of the third test match between England and the West Indies at Lord's cricket ground in London. — AP/File

LONDON: England all-rounder Ben Stokes could miss the Ashes series in Australia after undergoing another operation on his injured finger, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday.

The 30-year-old has not played since July, when it was announced he was taking a break to focus on his mental wellbeing and to rest his left index finger.

“Ben Stokes has undergone a second operation on Monday 4 October to address ongoing issues with the finger that he injured in the IPL in April,” the ECB said. “Stokes had two screws and scar tissue removed from the index finger of his left hand. He will now undergo an intensive period of rehabilitation for the next four weeks under the supervision of the ECB’s medical team.”

The operation places his participation in England’s five-Test series in Australia, scheduled to start in Brisbane on Dec 8, in serious doubt.

Concerns over player welfare and Australia’s strict coronavirus restrictions have led to fears the tour may not take place.

The ECB is meeting this week to decide whether the Ashes can go ahead, with reports suggesting there have been positive talks with Cricket Australia.

Stokes burnished his reputation as England’s talisman during the 2019 Ashes, when his unbeaten 135 helped England chase a record fourth-innings target of 359 at Headingley with one wicket remaining.

The all-rounder announced himself in Test cricket in the 2013-14 Ashes, scoring his maiden Test century in tough batting conditions in Perth but the Mitchell Johnson-inspired Australia completed a 5-0 whitewash.

Stokes missed England’s last tour of Australia in 2017-18 after his involvement in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub. He was subsequently found not guilty of affray.

The tourists missed Stokes’ contributions with bat and ball as Australia eased to a 4-0 series win to regain the urn.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.