Ben Stokes likely to make a comeback to competitive cricket during the T20 Blast

England is missing the services of their ace all-rounder, Ben Stokes, in the ongoing two-match Test series against New Zealand. Stokes was last seen in action during the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, playing for Rajasthan Royals in their first game against Punjab Kings, Stokes injured his finger.

The scans reported that the all-rounder sustained a fracture on his left index finger and thus underwent surgery. The 30-year-old was subsequently ruled out of IPL 2021 and is yet to regain his 100% fitness. Though the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) hasn’t given an update on the all-rounder, it is learned that Ben is likely to make a comeback to the international cricket during the T20 Blast.

Stokes will be playing for Durham and this will be his first game in T20 Blast since the past three years. Also, ECB wants to make sure that the English all-rounder remains fit for the five-match Test series between India and England, scheduled to start from August 4.

I am at an exciting point of my recovery where full-on training is not that far: Ben Stokes

“Details of Stokes’s comeback are yet to be confirmed by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and he could target one of the back-to-back 2nd XI T20s against Lancashire on June 14, but Durham have four fixtures in the Blast from June 15-20 and he is likely to return in one of them,” read a report by ESPNcricinfo.

A few days back, Ben Stokes also opened up on his injury saying that he is recovering well. The all-rounder revealed that he is able to exercise in the gym and is excited to play again. “I am able to bowl, I am able to get in the gym and I am able to hit some balls again. 

“I am at an exciting point of my recovery where full-on training is not that far away and then I can start thinking about playing in a match again. It is still too early to say exactly when I will be back for Durham, but I have had a good start,” Ben Stokes wrote in his column.