County Championship 2022: Ben Stokes falls flat after getting hit on Marnus Labuschagne's short delivery

England’s new Test skipper Ben Stokes was floored after inside edging a short delivery from Marnus Labuschagne on the box and the clip of the same went viral. Stokes has been in great form in the ongoing County Championship 2022 for the Durham side and has already played an excellent knock of 161 off just 88 deliveries against Worcestershire in the previous fixture.

He continued his impressive form into the game against Glamorgan where the all-rounder top-scored with 82 off just 110 balls and hit eight fours and two sixes in the process. His good form will be key in the upcoming three-match Test series for England against New Zealand as it will be the first assignment for Stokes as the full-time Test captain of the country after Joe Root had stepped down.

Meanwhile, coming back to the delivery, Stokes was hit in the lower portion of his waist and he went down on the ground straightaway. Labuschagne saw the funny side of the incident while Stokes had to stretch himself completely to get out of pain. It was certainly an awkward moment for Stokes, but there was nothing serious to worry about. Stokes was batting on 33 when the incident happened and he went on to make a well-compiled half-century.

Here’s the delivery from Marnus Labuschagne that floored Ben Stokes

Glamorgan ended day one on 31 for 2 after trailing by 280 runs with David Lloyd and Labuschagne at the crease and they will be first looking to reach the total of 311 posted by Durham earlier in the day. Keegan Petersen played a vital knock of 78 for Durham alongside Stokes and the South African has continued to impress with his brilliant technique.

Stokes will have a new head coach in Brendon McCullum who was recently appointed and the latter confirmed that he will be leaving the KKR set-up where he was the head coach for the last few years. The first Test between England and New Zealand starts on the 2nd of June at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.