Ben Stokes found himself on the receiving end of a brutal black eye, breaking what could be considered the top rule for a cricket coach. The England cricket star shared a photo on his Instagram account, showcasing his heavily bruised eye, scratched face, and a bandaged nose. Despite the injuries, Stokes maintained his sense of humor, joking about the state of the cricket ball that caused the damage.
The incident occurred while Stokes was coaching young players at Durham’s indoor facility, with a ball struck by batsman Robbie Bowman unexpectedly hitting him. Following the mishap, Stokes was promptly taken to the hospital, where he reached out to Bowman to reassure him. Durham coach Ryan Campbell disclosed that Stokes acknowledged his error in turning his back on the batter, emphasizing the importance of this coaching rule.
Stokes, who is currently recovering from a groin injury sustained during the final Ashes Test, is aiming to return to action for Durham in preparation for England’s upcoming Test against Australia in June. The cricketer’s long-term plans include transitioning into coaching after his playing career, with his contract extending until the conclusion of the 2027 Ashes series. Stokes has a significant Test match record, having represented England in 120 matches.
In other sports news, Sky has announced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, providing access to over 1,400 live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky continues to increase its coverage, offering a minimum of 215 live Premier League games each season along with other sports such as Formula 1, darts, and golf.