London [UK]: England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes has opened up about his lengthy recovery from a hamstring injury, his intensive rehabilitation process, and his determination to return as a full-time pace-bowling all-rounder for the national side.
The 33-year-old suffered a hamstring tear during England’s final Test against New Zealand in December, forcing him out of both county and international cricket. With major challenges ahead, including a five-match home Test series against India and an away Ashes tour of Australia, Stokes is preparing to make a strong comeback.
Stokes, who underwent surgery in January, is in the final stages of what he describes as one of the longest rehab stretches of his career — but one that he believes has left him in potentially the best shape of his life.
“I always work hard,” Stokes told Sky Sports.
“My ethos when I am injured is that I come back fitter than I was before I got injured.”
“I have worked incredibly hard on all aspects of everything, from my cricket to fitness, and know I am going to be in a position when I am back on the field to potentially be in physically the best possible shape I have been in.”
Stokes’ hamstring problem is not new — it first emerged during The Hundred last August and resurfaced in New Zealand, ruling him out of four Test matches. His rushed recovery for the Pakistan series likely led to a relapse. This time, however, with more time on hand, he and the medical team opted for a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
“The first time I pulled my hamstring, there was such a small timeframe to try and get myself ready for that series against Pakistan,” he said.
“To walk back on to the field after nine weeks with the hamstring tear I had was a pretty good effort, but there were days I had no interest in doing what I needed to do.”
“That rehab period then looked a lot different to this period. We had to fast-track certain periods of a normal rehab with a hamstring just to pass me fit to play, whereas this time around the medical team and I said we are going to nail it because we have got the time absolutely.”
Stokes noted that this longer, more methodical process has eased the physical and mental toll of rehabilitation.
“The time has allowed me not to have to get into the mindset of every day waking up and thinking about what I need to do to feel right in my head that I am fit. Those are the unseen things that people from outside don’t necessarily see.”
“It was a tough old slog and was very tiring and taxing, not just physically but also mentally, doing something every single day to try and get myself to the next level of my rehab. It does take it out of you; it was pretty much every day for about six weeks where I had to do something, three or four sessions a day, it was tough.”
With a gradual approach that included walking, running, and bowling, Stokes said this phase was much more manageable.
“It has not been anywhere near as taxing physically or mentally, that has been the big difference. I have definitely handled this period of injury and rehab a lot better than the first one.”
“I am not fully through that yet, but we are at the back end of the four-month period, and I am excited to get back to playing this summer.”
Before facing India, England will play a one-off Test against Zimbabwe on May 22, giving Stokes a chance to test his form. He remains in close contact with England head coach Brendon McCullum, discussing how to regain his best form.
“I am 33, I don’t want to expose myself to a situation where I am off the field when I don’t have to be,” Stokes said.
“I talk to Baz a lot about many different things, we have spoken about this kind of stuff and how he is going to help me better, how he is going to speak to me a lot more about this stuff. We have worked together for so long, we know each other inside out, and those discussions we have had over the last couple of months have been very good.”
While he feels physically great in training, Stokes acknowledges that match fitness is a different challenge altogether.
“I feel great. Training and playing are completely different. No matter what you do at training, you cannot replicate the intensity your body is put through in a game. As excited as I am to get back on the field, I know it will be different to my training.”
Stokes is determined to return to the role he thrives in — batting at number six and leading with the ball.
“But in terms of my role as a player, that full seamer, batting at six, trying to dominate every situation I find myself, whether I have got a bat or ball in my hand, is what I want to get back doing out on the field, on the biggest stage. I know I have done it before, it is something I am very confident in myself that I can do.”