NEWS
Follow UsOn December 22 (Sunday), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the squads for two major 50-over assignments - the three-match ODI series against India (starting next month) and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The squads featured the return of Joe Root to white-ball cricket. Root last played an ODI for England back in the 2023 World Cup, but he was picked for the global extravaganza keeping in mind his quality and experience.
However, while Root returned, there was no place in the squad for England Test captain Ben Stokes, who, like Root, also last played a white-ball game for the country in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Why has Stokes been omitted from the Champions Trophy squad?
In an official release, the ECB confirmed that Stokes missed out due to injury.
“Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes was not considered for selection as he continues to be assessed following a left hamstring injury sustained during the third Test match against New Zealand earlier this month,” the ECB said in their release.
With Stokes pulling out of the IPL as well, it means that the all-rounder’s next major assignment will be the five-Test series at home against India, starting June 20. Before that, he will be leading the Three Lions in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, from May 22. That contest will be a four-day affair.
When did Stokes pick up the injury?
Stokes picked up the injury while bowling in the second innings of the third Test against New Zealand last week at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Having dismissed both Will Young and nightwatchman William O’Rourke, Stokes damaged his hamstring while bowling the 13th over of his spell. He left the field immediately and did not return.
The severity of the injury even prevented Stokes from batting in the fourth innings as England suffered a 423-run defeat.
Luckily for the Three Lions, they had already won the series, having comprehensively beaten the Blackcaps in each of the first two Tests of the three-match series.
