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England‘s Test captain and renowned all-rounder, Ben Stokes recently addressed, with force, the allegations on social media regarding his commitment to County Championship matches, following claims that he prioritized The Hundred over his county responsibilities.
Ben Stokes suffers hamstring injury during The Hundred
During a match in The Hundred Men’s 2024, Stokes, playing for Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals, sustained a hamstring injury while running. The 33-year-old all-rounder will miss the upcoming series against Sri Lanka but aim to recover in time for England’s Test tour of Pakistan in October. This injury marks a setback for England, as Stokes has been a pivotal player in recent series. After undergoing knee surgery last November and skipping the T20 World Cup to focus on Test cricket, Stokes had made a strong comeback, including a five-wicket haul in a 3-0 series win over the West Indies.
Also READ: “Rob Key will be under pressure,”: Nasser Hussain rips apart ECB and broadcasters over Ben Stokes’ injury
Journalist’s criticism sparks a fierce response from Stokes
The controversy began when Scott Wilson, a writer for a UK publication, took to X to criticize Stokes, questioning his absence from county cricket while participating in The Hundred. Wilson’s post read:
“So Ben Stokes isn’t allowed to play any county cricket for #Durham during the summer, but he’s fine to mess about in the circus that is the Hundred, rupturing his hamstring and ruling him out for the rest of the summer. Utterly farcical,”
Stokes didn’t hold back in his response, pointing out the inaccuracy in Wilson’s statement by replying:
“Chief Sports Writer??? I played 3 Championship games for Durham this year.”
Chief Sports Writer???
I played 3 Championship games for Durham this year https://t.co/ni40mB0i6m— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) August 14, 2024
County Championship 2024
Stokes had notably skipped the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup 2024 to focus on regaining full fitness for the English summer. His efforts saw him take the field for Durham in three critical matches against Somerset, Lancashire and Worcestershire. While his batting performance may not have been as impactful as usual, Stokes made significant contributions with the ball, claiming 18 wickets, including a five-wicket haul, showcasing his determination to support his team. Stokes’ injury during The Hundred, which led to a hamstring tear, has unfortunately ruled him out for the remainder of the summer season.
