England Test captain Ben Stokes is set to miss the opening month of the county season as he continues to recover from facial surgery.
The 34-year-old suffered a broken cheekbone and extensive cuts and bruising after being struck by a ball in the nets at Chester-le-Street in February. Although Stokes has described the operation as successful, Durham will not risk him for their Division Two opener against Kent on Good Friday while specialists complete their checks.
Durham coach Ryan Campbell said the club are awaiting medical clearance. Stokes is also expected to be absent for early fixtures against Gloucestershire, Lancashire and Middlesex, with a possible return in May for matches against Worcestershire and Kent ahead of England’s first home Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, starting on June 4.
Campbell underlined how serious the blow was, saying the impact was worse than it appeared and praising the way the cheekbone protected the rest of Stokes’ face. “The ball was hit so hard and we are just lucky he got away with it,” Campbell said. “If it had hit his eye it could have been horrific. His cheekbone caved in and looked after the rest of him.”
Stokes has not played since the fifth Test in Sydney in January. He averaged just 18.40 with the bat in the Ashes, where England lost 4-1, and also suffered a groin injury in the final Test. Despite the set-backs he was retained as England captain after the tour and described the aftermath as the toughest period of his captaincy in an Instagram post.
Campbell expects Stokes to return with renewed determination. “He has a lot to prove,” the coach said. “He is a proud competitor who wants England to be the best team in the world. He was really knocked back by the Ashes, but he has taken a breath and is going to train extremely hard to come back as the all-rounder we know he can be.”
Campbell also confirmed Stokes will play for Durham in the Metro Bank One Day Cup after deciding to skip The Hundred, prioritising match fitness ahead of England’s busy Test summer. England’s home season includes the New Zealand series from June 4 and a later Test series against Pakistan starting on August 19.