England cricket was briefly unsettled after the Ben Stokes injury surfaced during a routine nets session, leaving the Test captain with visible facial bruising. The incident occurred away from active play, but images shared later confirmed the extent of the impact on the England all-rounder.Ben Stokes injury confirmed during nets session

The Ben Stokes injury happened when the England captain was standing near the nets and was struck on the cheek by a ball. Stokes was not batting or bowling at the time, and the incident was described as accidental rather than training-related mishap.

Following the Ben Stokes injury, Stokes shared an image showing a black eye and bruising, downplaying concerns with a light-hearted comment. Despite the visible marks, there were no indications of fractures or serious complications.

The Ben Stokes injury comes as the all-rounder continues rehabilitation from an adductor issue sustained during the Ashes. He has been working steadily toward full fitness and is scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi later this month to progress his recovery programme.

England sources confirmed the Ben Stokes injury will not alter his rehabilitation timeline. Stokes is also expected to link up with the England Lions squad in an informal coaching role, maintaining his involvement with the setup.

The Ben Stokes injury has no impact on England’s T20 World Cup plans, as he is not part of the squad for the tournament. His focus remains on red-ball cricket, with a return pencilled in for the home Test series against New Zealand.

Looking ahead, the Ben Stokes injury is viewed as a minor setback rather than a concern. If recovery stays on track, Stokes could feature for Durham before resuming international duties. Overall, the Ben Stokes injury is expected to heal quickly, allowing England’s captain to return fully fit for the summer season following the Ben Stokes injury episode.