'He has hurt himself, medics will assess him overnight' - England bowling coach on Ben Stokes' injury

England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes suffered an injury on Day 2 of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Thursday, December 9. He picked up the injury whilst fielding in the 29th over of the match.

Stokes bowled just nine overs in the day, which included five in the first session and only four in the remainder of the day. Ahead of participating in the series, the all-rounder had taken an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental health and was also recovering from a finger injury. England’s bowling coach provided an update on Stokes’ injury. He stated that the medical team will assess him overnight to check his fitness.

“Obviously, Ben has hurt himself on the field today so didn’t bowl full pace at the back end of the day. Think our medical guys will assess him overnight and see how he is. Other than that the guys are okay,” England bowling coach Jon Lewis said as quoted by India Today.

It would’ve been nice for Stokes’ first ball to be called a no-ball: England bowling coach 

In Stokes’ first spell, he got David Warner out off a no-ball. It further fumed many discussions as it revealed that accurate use of the technology was not made. The bowler had overstepped for 14 times in the opening session of day two of the Ashes but was called for the same only twice. According to Lewis, had the early no-ball call been given, Stokes would have made tweaks in his run-up.

“What a fast bowler need is some sort of understanding of where his feet are. It would’ve been nice for his first ball to be called a no-ball, so he could then have made an adjustment, and from then he would’ve been behind the line because he then knows where his feet are,” Lewis added.

About the match, Warner starred with the bat for the team as he scored 94 runs before Robinson sent him back to the hut. Travis Head, on the other hand, remained not out on Day two and hit an impressive century to dominate the proceedings. At stumps on day two Australia has the lead of 196 runs over the visitors.