England Considers Managing Ben Stokes’ Bowling Workload After Hamstring Injury

England’s assistant coach, Marcus Trescothick, acknowledged that the team might need to regulate captain Ben Stokes’ bowling activity following another hamstring injury. Stokes had previously missed four Tests earlier this year due to a similar injury. During the third afternoon of the third Test against New Zealand, Stokes experienced discomfort and will undergo a scan overnight. The 33-year-old cricketer delivered 36.2 overs in this match, marking his highest bowling total in a single game since June 2022. Trescothick stated, “Maybe it’s a case that you manage his bowling loads and he doesn’t bowl the volume that he’s bowled in this game,” adding, “We’ll just have to look at how we manage it.” Stokes holds a unique position as one of only three all-rounders in Test cricket history, alongside legendary figures Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers, to have achieved at least 6,000 runs and over 200 wickets. Throughout much of 2023, a persistent left-knee injury hindered his bowling performance, leading to surgery at the close of that year. Although he had resumed a complete bowling role for the England team, this recent issue marks the second injury to his left hamstring within a five-month period. The initial injury occurred in August while playing in The Hundred, resulting in Stokes missing four Tests. Despite appearing to be fully fit again in New Zealand, his 66.1 overs bowled in this series represent his highest total as captain. Furthermore, the 23 overs he delivered on the opening day of the third Test in Hamilton are his most in a single day. “It’s always challenging when it’s in the same area as before,” former England opener Trescothick informed BBC Sport. “Is it the same injury? We don’t know. Until we get those scan results we’re not going to know.” Stokes was delivering his third over on the third day when he experienced the hamstring injury, prompting him to exit the field without delay. In contrast to the incident in The Hundred at Old Trafford, where he required assistance to leave, this time he departed independently. He did not participate in the remainder of New Zealand’s second innings, during which the home team amassed 453 runs, establishing an unlikely target of 658 for England to win. By the end of play, the visiting team had fallen to 18-2. After the conclusion of play, Stokes was observed limping away from the England dressing room, his hamstring visibly strapped. Trescothick commented, “Naturally, he was upset. That has calmed down a little bit now. He’s done plenty of icing, and seen the doctors and the physio. He’ll get advice, then hopefully that makes a decision for him.” Stokes’ scheduled participation for MI Cape Town in the SA T20 in January now appears highly uncertain. Additionally, his remote prospect of selection for England in the Champions Trophy seems to have diminished. England’s subsequent Test match is scheduled for May, when they are set to host Zimbabwe for a single four-day fixture at Trent Bridge.