Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all cricket for at least three months due to a torn left hamstring.
The injury occurred while bowling on day three of the third Test in England's final 2-1 series win over New Zealand.
The 33-year-old will undergo surgery in January, just months after being sidelined with a hamstring injury earlier this year.
“One more thing to overcome…then carry on,” Stokes wrote on social media.
“I have a lot left in this tank and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to give for my team and this shirt.
“There's a reason I have the phoenix permanently engraved on my body.”
Stokes missed four Tests after being injured during The Hundred and has been ruled out of England's white-ball tour of India next year, as well as the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Stokes had bowled 66.3 overs during the New Zealand away series – his most in a single series as captain.
Stokes was injured in England's third Test in New Zealand this month
England's next Test isn't until May 2025 when they face Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.
England will also face India at home in a five-match Test series over the summer before attempting to reclaim the Ashes in Australia during the winter of 2025/26.
Stokes was forced to watch his team's final stages 423 runs crushing for New Zealand At Hamilton from the sidelines and after their defeat he vowed to dig deep when he returns from injury.
“No, I'm not backing down,” Stokes said after the series finale at Seddon Park.
“Obviously I was very disappointed coming off the field that day, I was very emotional about the whole thing. But you sleep on it, you take the emotion out, and you realize that every time you get out on the field as an athlete, you're putting yourself in a difficult situation.” At risk of injury.
“I've worked so hard to get myself in a position to play the role I did in this game, and it's just a stupid rule that for the first time in a while I feel like a young man again something happens.
“With every setback, I come back stronger. There's no doubt that I'll walk away from here, work hard like I always do and get back to where I was. This is my job.”
Hussain: England diminish when Stokes can't bowl
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Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain says England are down when captain Stokes can't bowl and admits they need to have a conversation with him about injury management
Stokes' injury has raised concerns about whether he is fit enough to perform his duties as an all-rounder.
“Because he is a captain and an all-rounder, he is very important to this team, but England diminish when Stokes can't bowl and when he misses Test matches,” Nasser Hussain said. Sky Sports News Earlier this month.
“I think it was necessary to have a conversation in this Test match about bowling the 37th over when he has just come back from a serious hamstring injury.
“Hamstring injuries at this age (33 years old) are frequent and he needs to be ready next summer and winter.
“At some point, someone just needs to tap him on the shoulder and say, ‘Look, I think you've done your homework now. “I think it's just up to someone else to carry the burden.”
“The problem with England is that the other seamers were really struggling and their pace was down.
“(Braydon) Carse was carrying the fluff, (Gus) Atkinson had low speeds and (Matthew) Potts was playing in his first game of the series.”
Stokes misses start of big year for England
England are set to play six Test matches at home before heading to Australia for the Ashes, with Stokes set to miss the start of a big year for England.
The England captain missed three Tests against Sri Lanka at home this year and one in Pakistan after tearing his hamstring while playing for Northern Superchargers at The Hundred.
One-off test at home against Zimbabwe (May)
- Thursday 22nd May – Sunday 25th May (11am) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Home Test series in India (June-July)
- First test: Friday 20 June – Tuesday 24 June (11am) – Headingley, Leeds
- Second test: Wednesday 2 July – Sunday 6 July (11am) – Edgbaston, Birmingham
- Third test: Thursday 10 July – Monday 14 July (11am) – Lord's, London
- Fourth test: Wednesday 23 July – Sunday 7 July (11am) – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- Fifth test: Thursday 31 July – Monday 4 August (11am) – Kia Oval, London
Ash in Australia (November 2025 – January 2026)
- First test: Friday 21 November – Tuesday 25 June (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second test: Thursday 4 December – Monday 8 December (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third test: Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December (12am) – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- Fourth test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11:30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
- Fifth test: Sunday 4 January – Thursday 8 January (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
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