‘I might not be here’: Ben Stokes ‘lucky to be alive’ after freak injury scare

Ben Stokes has revealed helium feels “quite lucky” to beryllium live aft a terrifying grooming incidental near him with a breached cheekbone, underlining conscionable however adjacent helium came to a acold much superior outcome.

The all-rounder was struck flush connected the look by a cricket shot during a nett league portion coaching academy players astatine Durham successful February, an mishap helium present describes arsenic “pretty nasty” but, successful hindsight, fortunate.“I copped 1 consecutive successful the face,” Stokes said, reflecting connected the moment. “Just a mates of inches 1 mode oregon the other, I mightiness not beryllium present doing this interview.” The 34-year-old underwent large facial country aft the blow, admitting the harm underneath the cheekbone was severe.

Yet, contempt the seriousness of the injury, Stokes maintained that helium had escaped a worst-case scenario. “All things considered… I’ve got retired rather lucky.

So beauteous thankful for that,” helium added, calling it the “best effect of a atrocious situation.”Road to betterment and renewed absorption up of TestsThe incidental disrupted his preparations for the season, delaying his instrumentality to enactment by implicit a month. Stokes acknowledged the setback forced him to “go backmost to the drafting board” and rebuild his fittingness program up of England’s engaged Test summer.

Now nearing afloat recovery, helium is expected to diagnostic successful County Championship matches earlier starring England against New Zealand astatine Lord’s connected June 4. “It was a beauteous scary situation… thankfully inactive present and everything’s each right,” helium said.

Beyond his injury, Stokes besides addressed speculation astir his moving narration with Brendon McCullum pursuing England’s 4-1 Ashes decision successful Australia. Dismissing speech of a rift arsenic a “massive overstatement,” Stokes emphasised that differences successful attack are earthy successful enactment roles. While their dynamic whitethorn “look a small spot different” going forward, helium reaffirmed their shared extremity of gathering a winning team.As England reset up of a important location season, Stokes’ position — shaped by some carnal adversity and enactment challenges — highlights a renewed absorption connected resilience, adaptability, and semipermanent success.