England may have to reconsider Ben Stokes’ future as an all-rounder after his latest injury ended a disastrous day of Test cricket in Hamilton.
Stokes left the field on the third afternoon of the final Test against New Zealand after clutching a badly torn left hamstring in August, physically unable to complete an over.
With the series already secured, England’s most pressing concerns were about their captain rather than the dire state of the one-sided game at Seddon Park. After setting an astronomical target of 658, New Zealand sniped both openers to leave their opponents reeling for 18. two.
wear and tear
Stokes takes pride in giving everything he can for the team, both on the field and with the bat and ball. But the long, difficult season could catch up with the 33-year-old sooner than he would like.
The sight of Stokes limping up from the ground, his leg in a compression bandage, was a heartbreaking image at the end of the trip. He seemed ready to finally get back to work with the team after 18 months of fitness issues. -Your own action hero.
He came into the 67th over of the series (almost 37th over in this match) and felt his muscles ache and left the stage with his head in his hands.
His day was immediately over and a scan was booked to assess the full extent of the damage, but in the long term both he and England may have to consider whether his body is still capable of doing everything he wants to do.
smasher
“We had no idea that was going to happen,” admitted assistant coach Marcus Trescothick.
“There are no indications of this type of thing. Usually this just happens. But obviously it’s the same hamstring he’s had before and it’s always tough when you realize he’s injured it again.
“Maybe it’s a case of you manage his bowling load (from now on) and potentially he doesn’t bowl the volume he bowled in this game.
“He strives to be in the best shape he can and is extremely athletic. He is doing very well, bowling and performing his duties as an all-rounder and captain. We’ll have to see how we manage that.”
Day 3
Stokes’ misfortune came on a day when New Zealand brutally undermined British morale. Already leading by 340, Kane Williamson nearly doubled his lead with 156.
Things got even worse as Zak Crawley’s desperate series plummeted to a new low, and he was dismissed for six consecutive innings by his foe Matt Henry, leaving him 52 runs at an average of 8.66.
His angry reaction to referee Adrian Holdstock’s tight call suggested the pressure was taking its toll and he could face a fine from the match referee.
“It’s always hard when someone has something against you,” Trescothick said.
“You want to go out there and score every time you play. One inning is bad, six innings is challenging. Of course it is. But we will get through this and continue to support him.
“We are very focused on him being our opening batsman for a good period of time to come. He has a strong character and if someone gets you into trouble, you will find a way, even if it is hard.
“And we’re going to help him find a way to get back to that point.”
Read more: Ben Stokes’ injury scare in the third Test added to England’s woes.
