Ben Stokes has revealed he feels “very lucky” to be alive after a terrifying training incident left him with a broken cheekbone, underlining how close he came to a much more serious outcome. The all-rounder was hit in the face by a cricket ball during a net session while training academy players in Durham in February, an accident he now describes as “pretty nasty” but, in hindsight, fortunate.
“I got one right in the face,” Stokes said, reflecting on the moment. “By just a couple of centimeters one way or another, I may not be here doing this interview.” The 34-year-old underwent major facial surgery after the hit, admitting the damage below his cheekbone was severe. However, despite the severity of the injury, Stokes maintained that he had escaped the worst-case scenario. “At the end of the day… I was very lucky. I’m very grateful for that,” he added, calling it “the best outcome of a bad situation.”
Road to recovery and renewed focus before tests
The incident disrupted his preparations for the season, delaying his return to action by more than a month. Stokes acknowledged the setback forced him to “go back to the drawing board” and rebuild his fitness plan ahead of the busy summer of testing in England. Now on the verge of a full recovery, he is expected to feature in the County Championship matches before leading England against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4. “It was a pretty scary situation… luckily I’m still here and everything is fine,” he said.
Beyond his injury, Stokes also addressed speculation about his working relationship with Brendon McCullum following England’s 4-1 defeat in Australia. Stokes dismissed talk of a split as a “huge exaggeration”, and stressed that differences in approach are natural in leadership roles. While their dynamic may “look a little different” in the future, it reaffirmed their shared goal of building a winning team.
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As England reset ahead of a crucial home season, Stokes’ outlook, shaped by both physical adversity and leadership challenges, highlights a renewed focus on resilience, adaptability and long-term success.