Ben Stokes

Stokes out with hamstring injury as New Zealand defeat England by 423 runs

Captain Ben Stokes was unable to bat because of a hamstring injury on Tuesday as England slumped to a 423-run loss to New Zealand before tea on the fourth day on the third cricket Test. Stokes strained his left hamstring while bowling on the third day and could not take the field as England was bowled out for 234 as it chased an impossible target of 658 for victory. New Zealand's winning margin matched its largest test win by runs of a 423-run win over Sri Lanka in 2018 and prevented England from completing a series whitewash. England had an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after winning the first test by eight wickets and the second by 323 runs. You can't fault any of the energies or efforts we put into this game, particularly in the field, Stokes said. It's obviously not ideal to end the tour on this note but we've come here against a New Zealand team which is very strong and full of confidence after beating India in India 3-0. So to come here and lift that trophy at the end ..

Ben Stokes ruled out of England vs Sri Lanka due to torn hamstring

England cricket captain Ben Stokes was ruled out of the upcoming test series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday because of a torn hamstring sustained in a domestic game at the weekend. The 33-year-old Stokes suffered the injury while batting for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred competition on Sunday, and was later seen on crutches. Stokes will miss all three tests of England's series against Sri Lanka which begins on Aug. 21. The allrounder is aiming to return for England's winter test tour of Pakistan," England said in a statement. The first test against Pakistan is on Oct. 7 in Multan. England vice captain Ollie Pope will lead the team in Stokes' absence against Sri Lanka. England said it isn't adding to the squad for the series.

England skipper, Ben Stokes helped off the pitch ahead of SL test series

England captain Ben Stokes had to be helped off the field after suffering an injury while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred domestic cricket competition, raising concerns he could miss the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. The 33-year-old Stokes pulled up while running between the wickets as the Superchargers chased a victory target of 153 against Manchester Originals at Old Trafford. Stokes appeared to clutch his left hamstring as he was completing a quick single from the non-striker's end. Stokes, who had bowled 15 overs in the match, retired hurt on two runs with England teammate Harry Brook coming out to replace him. Asked about Stokes, Brook told Sky Sports: It doesn't look great unfortunately but I think he'll be getting a scan tomorrow (Monday) and see how he is. Stokes led England to a 3-0 series sweep against West Indies last month. England opens its Test series against Sri Lanka on Aug. 21 at Old Trafford, with the third and final Test at the Oval fr

Broad terms Stokes call to miss T20 World Cup right, Jofra Archer a concern

Former England pacer Stuart Board has backed talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes' decision to opt out of this year's T20 World Cup due to fitness reasons but expressed concerns about fast bowler Jofra Archer's never-ending injury woes. Supporting Stokes' pullout from the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA, Board said the defending champions will miss his aura but have enough resources to replace him as a player. "Whatever Ben decides to do for the well-being of himself is the right decision. Ben Stokes has made some incredible decisions in his career that have paid off for him," Broad, a member of the Star Sports Incredible Star Cast, told PTI in an exclusive interaction at their studio here. "He wants to get back to (being) the all-rounder that he was and he feels like getting some workload through the knee in a controlled environment, without the help of a scale to pressurise the nature of a T20 World Cup, is the best choice," he said. While Archer has found it ...

'Sacrifice to remain an all-rounder': Stokes pulls out of T20 World Cup

England's star player Ben Stokes on Tuesday pulled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying the "sacrifice" will help him focus on regaining his fitness to bowl full throttle and be the "all-rounder I want to be for the foreseeable future". The country's Test captain has informed the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) about his decision, two months ahead of the showpiece that will be held in the USA and West Indies. "I'm working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket. "Opting out of the IPL and the World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that allows me to be the all-rounder I want to be for the foreseeable future," Stokes said in a statement issued by the ECB. Stokes, 32, was in-charge of the the team that suffered a 1-4 Test series loss to India earlier this year and said the tour made him realise that he isn't quite up for it when it comes to bowling. "The recent Test tour of India highlighted

IND vs ENG: Ben Stokes full of admiration for India's bench strength

England captain Ben Stokes on Saturday said staying true to the 'Bazball' approach did not work and conceded that India were too good in their own conditions, always finding a way to wriggle out of tight curves. England won the Hyderabad Test to go up 1-0 but from thereon they resembled a jalopy under constant pressure from hosts under Rohit Sharma to lose the series 1-4. "I'm full of admiration for India and the beast they are in their home conditions. Obviously, a lot was said about certain (Indian) players not being here. But this series has shown the depth of Indian cricket," Stokes said in the post-match press conference, speaking about absence of senior players like Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami. "We have seen a lot of young players come in and do extremely well (for India). Since that first game, India have been the much better team and obviously 4-1 reflects that." England came into the five-match series after extensive preparation in Abu Dhabi and even amidst the rubber t

It was written in stars he would bowl a jaffa first up: Jeetan on Stokes

It was as if the stars aligned for Ben Stokes to bowl that magic ball to his opposite number Rohit Sharma on day two of the fifth Test, feels England assistant coach Jeetan Patel. Right after lunch, England captain bowled a peach of a delivery, his first in competitive cricket in past nine months, to remove Rohit, who had already scored his second hundred of the series. Stokes, who had been bowling only in the nets thus far, finally decided to roll his arm over in a match situation after nothing went England's way in the morning session. He had stopped bowling owing to a knee injury and had undergone surgery last year. Bowling the second over of the afternoon session, Stokes produced a peach that seamed away a touch from good length to dislodge Rohit's off-stump. "He's (Stokes) a freak. It was almost written in the stars that he was going to bowl a jaffa first up and get Rohit Sharma out who was on 100. We all know how we can round our attack out, especially in conditions like thes

IPL 2024: Dhoni is a special player and a special captain - Moeen Ali

All-rounder Moeen Ali has lavished praise on England skipper Ben Stokes despite the underwhelming Test performance against India, saying the all-rounder is special for the way he has transformed the side into an "amazing and entertaining" unit. Ali, who has retired from the longest format, said Stokes deserves plenty of credit for ensuring that England are better than average. "I had Joe Root and Alastair Cook as my captains, but Stokesy was just different. The way he's taking the game and team forward, it's really amazing. He took England from not playing great cricket to amazing and entertaining cricket," Ali told 'ESPNCricinfo'. England are trailing 1-3 in the ongoing series and the the fifth and final Test is currently in progress in Dharamsala. Ali also defended the visiting team's ultra-aggressive 'Bazball' approach, which has drawn criticism for being one-dimensional after India managed to gain the upper-hand. "Everyone is talking about Bazball. But they actually don't belie

IND vs ENG 5th Test: Stokes breaks pinky promise, takes first-ball wicket

The last time the Durham man had bowled in a Test was in June 2023 at Lord's. It was after a gap of seven Tests that the English skipper decided to break the promise with his physio

IND vs ENG: Stokes concedes they didn't have a chance in hell against India

Skipper Ben Stokes expressed pride in how England have fought toe to toe with India despite not having "a chance in hell of competing" with the hosts in the ongoing series. India registered a five-wicket win in the fourth and penultimate Test to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series against England, who suffered their first Test series defeat under the leadership of captain Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. "3-1 doesn't look great, but the way in which we've come at India is what I'm most proud of," Stokes told British media. "We didn't have a chance in hell of even competing with India. But even today(Monday), that wasn't an easy win for India, and I think they would admit that," he added. In the fourth Test, England tried to fashion a fight-back before India crossed the line on the fourth day in Ranchi. Chasing 192, India slipped to 120/5, before Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel stitched a 72-run unbroken partnership. "This young, inexperienced team has been .

England team to spend free time in Bengaluru and Chandigarh before 5th Test

The England Test squad members will split across Chandigarh and Bengaluru during the one-week break they have got ahead of the fifth and final Test against India beginning March 7 in Dharamsala. The side has conceded a series-deciding 1-3 lead after going down by five wickets in the fourth Test here on Monday. In the long break between the second and third Test, the whole of England squad had spent its free time in Abu Dhabi. It was also in Abu Dhabi that the Ben Stokes-led side had trained before arriving in India for the series that began on January 25. However, the players have chosen Chandigarh and Bengaluru for the week leading up to the Dharamsala Test. "The squad will be split across Chandigarh and Bengaluru before the fifth Test. They are unlikely to hit the nets during the break. The squad arrives in Dharamsala about three days before the Test (March 4)," an ECB source told PTI. The loss against India is the visitors' first series defeat in the 'Bazball' era.

IND vs ENG 4th Test Day 1 Highlights: Root's century takes England to 302/7

India vs England 4th Test Day 1 Highlights: Joe Root slammed his 31st century and helped England recover from 112 to finish the day at 302/7. Debutant Akash Deep took three wickets for India

IND vs ENG 4th Test: Ranchi pitch report, stats, win and loss records

Only two Tests have been played in Ranchi so far and India has won one and drawn another. India drew against Australia in 2017 and beat South Africa in 2019

IND vs ENG 4th Test: Stokes says it's maybe, maybe not on bowling in match

Bowling full tilt at nets raised hopes of Ben Stokes rolling his arms over in the fourth Test against India but the England captain on Thursday preferred to keep the suspense over his availability as a bowler here. Due to issues with his knee, Stokes has been playing only as a batter since the second Ashes Test last June. However, he was seen bowling extensively at the nets on the eve of the fourth Test. Asked about the possibility of him bowling in the match, Stokes said, "Nah, I think it's maybe, maybe not." Stokes said going in with two pacers is the best option for England, forcing them to include the tall Ollie Robinson in the playing XI, even though the Ranchi track is likely to assist the spinners. "Bringing Robbo (Robinson) in gives us good options, especially looking at this wicket," Stokes said at the pre-match media interaction. "I feel like the spin will be assisted, but I also feel having two seamers gives us a good chance purely because of Ollie Robinson's release h

IND vs ENG 4th Test: Stokes baffled by dark, crumbling, cracky Ranchi pitch

England captain Ben Stokes added spice to the talks on Ranchi pitch for the fourth Test against India, saying he has not seen anything remotely like the 22-yard strip here in the past. India are leading the five-match series 2-1 and the penultimate Test will start here on Friday. However, discussion about the platey cracks on the pitch as described by England batter Ollie Pope has dominated the build-up to this Test. Stokes added a touch of intrigue as well. "It looked interesting, didn't it? I don't know. I can't say much. I don't know, I've never seen something like that before so I have no idea. I don't know what could happen," Stokes was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. It indeed was an ominous reading of the playing surface, if you are from the England camp. But then Stokes had a reason for it as well. "If you looked down one side of opposite ends it just looked different to what I am used to seeing, especially out in India. It looked green and grassy up in the changing-ro

IND vs ENG 4th Test: Stokes contemplates bowling against India in Ranchi

Back-to-back heavy defeats against India have compelled England captain Ben Stokes to consider an early return to bowling with head coach Brendon McCullum admitting that although it's a good sign, they don't want the all-rounder to push himself unnecessarily. Stokes, who is still recovering from a knee surgery, hasn't bowled since the second Ashes Test in June last year. "Well, it's good that he's actually getting into a state where he thinks he might bowl," McCullum was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Monday. "But Ben is clever; he's really clever as well. He won't bowl unless he thinks he's legitimately able to bowl. The problem would be if he starts getting into a spell and then he can't get out of the spell. So we'll see what unfolds. "If he does get that bit between his teeth, then let's see where the danger lies there and try and pull him away from it. But it's a good sign," McCullum added. Ahead of the Rajkot Test, Stokes had said he "pinky promised" his physiotherapist

England's Bazball draws criticism after massive defeat in Rajkot Test

Former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan have criticised the team's 'Bazball' approach in the ongoing Test series against India, saying the visitors need to apply themselves based on match situation instead of being guided by a one-dimensional philosophy of aggression. India registered their biggest-ever Test win, annihilating England by 434 run in the third Test in Rajkot on Sunday. Chasing 557 to win, the tourists were bundled out for 122. The home side leads 2-1 in the five-match series with games left in Ranchi and Dharamsala. "This was the worst defeat under (Ben) Stokes and Brendon McCullum, and one that exposed their method. They cannot take the aggressive at every opportunity, they have to pick their moments," Vaughan wrote in his column for "Telegraph.co.uk'. Hussain echoed the sentiment. "Bazball is about being attacking but it is also about soaking up pressure," Hussain said on 'Sky Sports'. In contrast, India's Yashsavi Jaiswal, who has two double ...

DRS controversy in Rajkot! Stokes wants umpire's call rule to be scrapped

After the India vs England 3rd Test, Stokes highlighted Zak Crawley's dismissal, which was sent upstairs for DRS, had wrongly mentioned the umpire's call even if the ball was not hitting the stumps.

Ben Stokes' 100th Test: Revisit batter's top five iconic Test innings

The English skipper is playing his 100th Test match in Rajkot Business Standard look back at his top five iconic Test innings.

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Day 2 Highlights: Duckett ton keeps England ahead

India vs England Highlights, Rajkot Test Day 2: Ben Duckett scored a bucket full of runs as he remained unbeaten on 133 and England reached 207/2 to trail by 238 at the end of Day 2 of the third Test