Ben Stokes, the new England all-rounder, has really put his head above the parapet. Since the beginning of January 2023 he’s given it up entirely. This decision reflects his dedication to rehabilitation from a hamstring injury that has kept him away from competitive cricket. Stokes is hoping this sobriety stint will not only help with his rehabilitation journey, but make him a better player on the field.
In December, Stokes underwent surgery on his left hamstring. He first damaged it when he ruptured the muscle during the third Test against New Zealand. At first, he was expected to miss at least three months. He has yet to take the field for Durham in this year’s County Championship. Looking back on his drinking habits, Stokes admitted that things “have really calmed down a lot through the years.” That has forced him to take a more cerebral approach to his training and recovery. Today, he purposefully judges the impact of his decisions on everything from training to athletic performance.
Stokes faces an injury from The Hundred last summer, then helped signal a change in his internal recovery strategy. The result was a growing sense of imperative to change. Remembering his first significant injury, he described the initial surprise, and when the adrenaline let go. He said, ‘How did this occur? Then he immediately decided, ‘Fine, I need to do something different.’
Stokes recently posted clips of his practice sessions with Durham to social media. He proved he still has the bowling talent as he gears up for his comeback to professional bowling. He aims to fully participate in England’s upcoming international summer, which begins with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on May 22.
For all the excitement at the prospect of his return, questions remain. The eternal question for England fans is, can Stokes maintain being a dependable 5th bowler and all rounder? His recent history of leg injuries has scared fans and analysts across the internet.
Stokes’ dedication to sobriety is part of a larger movement across professional sports focused on the health and lifestyles of athletes. He continued to note how the game today is far more physically demanding on the body compared to past decades. Consequently, today’s athletes need to focus on staying physically healthy.
As Stokes continues his recovery journey, he remains hopeful about returning to form and contributing significantly to the England team against Zimbabwe.
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