Ben Stokes ruled out of cricketing action for 12 weeks with fractured finger

Ben Stokes ruled out of cricketing action for 12 weeks with fractured finger

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Ben Stokes has been ruled out of action for a period of 12 weeks due to the injury he suffered in the Indian Premier League (IPL) while taking a catch. Appearing for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their first match of the season against Punjab Kings (PBKS), the all-rounder dived to take the catch of Chris Gayle. He held on to the ball but landed awkwardly on his fingers which caused him a great amount of pain.

Stokes continued on the field however, and also came out to bat as the side’s opener. Probably because of the injury, Stokes looked out of sorts in his three-ball duck. The match then turned out to be a thriller with Sanju Samson scoring a century but unable to take his side home. After the match, reports came in from The Independent that Stokes’ injury was a serious one and that he would have to miss the entire IPL season.

ECB confirms Ben Stokes’ injury and period of absence

Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement today about Stokes’ injury which read, “England all-rounder Ben Stokes will be out for up to 12 weeks after a repeat X-ray and CT scan on Thursday revealed that he has a fracture of his left index finger.”

The statement further confirmed that Stokes would not stay back in India as previously believed but that he would fly back to England to have surgery. “Stokes, who is currently in India with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, will fly home tomorrow. He will have surgery in Leeds on Monday,” the statement added.

The injury means that Stokes would miss out on England’s series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka which follow after the conclusion of the IPL.

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