Stokes Groin Injury Adds to England’s Growing Worries

Stokes' injury felt sudden and caught everyone off guard. Fifteen minutes into day four at the SCG, Ben Stokes stopped mid-over. He looked toward the dressing room, and then he began a slow walk off the field. 

Stokes had delivered ten balls that morning, and four more remained to complete his over. He never finished them. A right adductor issue, England later confirmed, forced their leader off the field and straight into assessment. This was his 28th over of the innings, more than any other England bowler to that point, deep into a Test that had already demanded everything.

Workload Comes Calling

By the time Stokes left the field, Australia sat comfortably at 523 for 7. England were chasing leather, chasing control, chasing relief. Stokes, again, had shouldered the load. He always does. Over after over, spell after spell, even when logic suggests otherwise.

Under ICC playing conditions, time off the field can dictate batting positions later. Thankfully for England, Stokes returned within 40 minutes, avoiding any forced delay to his innings. Still, questions lingered. Would he bat at No.6 as usual? Or would England have to reshuffle with a 183-run deficit staring them down?

Leadership Shift, Briefly

With Stokes sidelined, vice-captain Harry Brook stepped in. It marked his first stint leading England since being named deputy for the tour. A passing of responsibility, even if only for a session.

Australia soon wrapped up their innings at 567, losing their last three wickets for 32 runs. England fought back, but the broader picture hardly shifted. This Ashes series had already slipped away for England.

There is a grim familiarity to Stokes battling through pain, and this was his fourth injury in 18 months; hamstrings, shoulder, and now groin. Last summer, a shoulder injury kept him out of the deciding Test against India. Before that, a hamstring tear ruled him out against Sri Lanka. 

Stokes came into this tour in top shape, as he was one of the fittest players in the squad. He had surgery on his knee in late 2023, and since then, he has focused fully on his fitness. He increased the Gym sessions and even cut out Alcohol. He also said no to Franchise leagues to stay available for England. Ironically, it may be that same commitment that caught up with him.

Ashes effort, beyond the numbers

Across five Tests, Stokes carried England’s seam attack, and he took 15 wickets at 25.13. He bowled long spells when others faded. He pushed through seven-over bursts to earn the second new ball. When the game drifted, he stepped in again for eight more.

Some questioned his calls, especially skipping the new ball when senior quicks were missing, but the situation mattered. 

The injury came on the second-last scheduled day of the Ashes. The urn was already gone, so the fallout stays limited. His next target is June 4 at Lord’s against New Zealand, if recovery holds. A Durham return could come earlier, depending on how he pulls up.