A New Approach to Injury Recovery

England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that he has given up drinking alcohol at the start of the year in a bid to aid his recovery from a hamstring injury. The 33-year-old all-rounder suffered a tear during the third Test against New Zealand in December and underwent surgery on his left hamstring.

Stokes, who has not yet featured for Durham in the County Championship, has been undergoing a strict rehabilitation programme, which has included reflection on his relationship with alcohol. He told the Untapped podcast that after his first major injury, he began to question the impact of his drinking habits on his recovery.

“I was thinking, ‘We did have a bit of a drink four or five nights ago, could that have played a part?’ It wouldn’t have helped,” Stokes said. He added that he has learned to manage his behaviour with alcohol and is now able to have a social drink, but has not had an alcoholic drink since January.

Stokes’ recent injury record has led to questions surrounding his future and his ability to play as an all-rounder in England’s Test side. However, he remains committed to his rehabilitation programme and hopes to play a full role in England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge from May 22.

In recent weeks, Stokes has posted footage on social media that has shown him bowling in training with Durham. The all-rounder has been working tirelessly to regain his fitness and has been open about the challenges he has faced during his rehabilitation.

“It’s just getting harder to do everything, hence why now I feel like I have to work so much harder away from the field, in the gym and all that kind of stuff to just give me the best chance of being out there to perform,” Stokes said.

Stokes’ injury record has been a concern for England’s selectors, but the all-rounder remains optimistic about his future. He has been working closely with his team and medical staff to develop a rehabilitation programme that will allow him to return to full fitness.

The England international has also spoken about the differences in cricket’s drinking culture in today’s professional era compared with the past. “In the 90s and 00s, there were unbelievable stories [about drinking]. It’s definitely settled down a lot over the years,” Stokes said.

Stokes’ comments come as a surprise to many, given his past experiences with drinking. In 2018, he was found not guilty of affray after being involved in a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol. He told the court that he had been drinking but was not drunk.

Despite his injury concerns, Stokes remains committed to his cricket career and is determined to make a successful return to the England team. With his strict rehabilitation programme and newfound approach to injury recovery, Stokes is optimistic about his future and is determined to prove his doubters wrong.