Dom Sibley injury adds to England’s worries with Ben Stokes facing 12 weeks out
Ben Stokes is set to be sidelined for up to 12 weeks as he requires surgery on his fractured left index finger while a broken bone in Dom Sibley’s right hand has given England another cause for concern.
Stokes will be absent for a chunk of England’s summer schedule after suffering an injury while fielding for Rajasthan Royals in their first Indian Premier League match of the year against Punjab Kings earlier this week.
A second scan has highlighted the extent of the damage and while Stokes has remained in India this week, he will now return to the UK on Saturday and go under the knife in Leeds on Monday before a lengthy rehabilitation process.
An England and Wales Cricket Board statement said: “England all-rounder Ben Stokes will be out for up to 12 weeks after a repeat X-ray and CT scan on Thursday revealed that he has a fracture of his left index finger.
“Stokes, who is currently in India with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, will fly home (on Saturday). He will have surgery in Leeds on Monday.
“The injury occurred while fielding during Royals’ opening match against Punjab Kings on Monday when he completed a catch in the deep to see off West Indies batsman Chris Gayle.”
The ECB’s announcement looks set to draw a line through Stokes’ availability until mid-July, meaning he would miss two Tests against New Zealand in June while he is doubtful for white-ball series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The start of The Hundred – Stokes is signed to Northern Superchargers, who play their first game on July 24 – and a five-Test series against India beginning on August 4 are likelier to be on the 29-year-old’s radar for a return.
Dom Sibley injury adds to England’s worries
It emerged later on Friday that Stokes’ England team-mate Sibley sustained a fractured finger himself while fielding for Warwickshire in their LV= Insurance County Championship match against Nottinghamshire the day before.
Sibley was conspicuous by his absence when Warwickshire got their innings under way on Thursday, although the county have not entirely discounted the idea of the opening batsman having some involvement in the rest of the game.
However, the news of Sibley’s injury is another blow for England with less than seven weeks to go before they start a busy summer of fixtures with the first Test against the Black Caps at Lord’s on June 2.
“Warwickshire CCC can confirm that Dom Sibley has a fracture to the second finger of his right hand following an X-ray,” a statement on the county’s website said.
“Sibley is being regularly assessed and his contribution to the remainder of the game will be determined by the level of discomfort that the player is experiencing and the medical team.”
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.