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Ben Stokes ODI and Test team Photograph: (Source-X)
On Sunday, the England Cricket Board (ECB) announced a strong squad for the white ball series in India and Champions Trophy 2025. Jos Buttler is set to lead the sides as they begin with 5 T20I and 3 ODI matches in India before the massive ICC event in February. One name missing from the team is none other than Test skipper Ben Stokes.
The 33-year-old hasn’t been included in either squad that was announced by ECB on Sunday. The reason Ben Stokes has been ignored is due to the hamstring injury he suffered during the third and final Test of the New Zealand tour in Hamilton. Ben Stokes’ year has been plagued with many injuries.
England’s veteran all-rounder had missed the home series against Sri Lanka after injuring himself during The Hundred tournament. Stokes made his comeback during the Pakistan Test tour which his side lost 2-1. This was followed by the tour of New Zealand which England went on to win 2-1.
Ben Stokes’ injury costs him place in Champions Trophy tour
It was during the final Test match in Hamilton that Ben Stokes saw himself get tangled with yet another injury concern. The 33-year-old bowled 24 overs in the 1st innings and picked 1/91 while scoring 27 runs with the bat. It was in the 2nd innings that Stokes went down in a heap after bowling 12.2 overs and taking 2 wickets for 52 runs.
The injury meant that Stokes didn’t come out to bat in the 2nd innings as his side lost by a massive margin of 423 runs. The injury occurred on day three of the game with the hosts in complete control of the game as they were nearing a huge total on the board.
Speaking to the media after the Hamilton Test, England skipper Ben Stokes said "I worked really hard to get myself into position to play the role that I did this game. And it's just one of those unfortunate things. But nah, I ain't holding back”
Ben Stokes last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup against Pakistan in Kolkata scoring 84 runs. The English also took 3 catches to help his team qualify for the Champions Trophy to be played in Pakistan in February 2025. Stokes’ last T20I game was the final of the World Cup in 2022 where he scored an unbeaten 52 to help his side win their 2nd World Cup title.