Faced with the harsh reality of a cricket ball’s force, Ben Stokes has sworn off bare-headed batting practice forever. The England Test leader suffered a shocking hit to the face while coaching at Durham’s indoor nets, the ball crashing into his right eye area, swelling his cheek and lips horrifically.
Stokes aired his epiphany on X: ‘Facing spin sans helmet? Never got it. I threw down without one routinely. This week’s smash-up and fortunate escape changed everything—no helmet, no play. Cricket balls wreck havoc.’
Hospital pics showed the damage vividly, followed by cheekbone surgery. His Instagram from the recovery bed on February 5 read: ‘Looks rough, but op was a success.’
Out of white-ball cricket since 2023 World Cup and excluded from 2026 T20 plans, Stokes watches England thrive second in Group C T20 table with two wins from three. This ordeal challenges the sport’s casual approach to spin protection, positioning Stokes as an advocate for universal helmet adoption in sessions and games alike.
Recovery ahead, his vow might catalyze policy shifts, prioritizing safety in an era of high-speed training.