Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all cricket for at least three months with a torn left hamstring.
The injury occurred while bowling on the third day of the third Test in England's recent 2-1 win over New Zealand.
The 33-year-old will undergo surgery in January, just months after being sidelined earlier this year with the same hamstring injury.
Stokes missed four Tests after injuring himself during The Hundred and was ruled out of England's tour of India next year as well as the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Stokes bowled 66.3 overs during the away series in New Zealand – his highest in a single series as captain.
Stokes was injured in England's third Test in New Zealand this month
England's next Test is not until May 2025 when they face Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.
England will also face India at home in a five-match series over the summer before they attempt to regain the Ashes in Australia during the winter of 2025/26.
Stokes was forced to watch the closing stages of his team 423-run thrashing by New Zealand in Hamilton from the sidelines and after their defeat he vowed to dig deep on his return from injury.
“No, I'm not holding back,” Stokes said after the series finale at Seddon Park.
“Obviously I was incredibly disappointed to go the other day, I was very emotional about the whole thing. But you sleep on it, you put the emotion out and you realize that every time you go out on the field as an athlete you put yourself at risk of injury.
“I've worked really hard to put myself in a position to play the role I've played in this game and it's a real law that for the first time in a while I feel like I'm young again.
“With every setback, I come back stronger. There's no doubt in my mind I'm going to walk out of here, work as hard as I always have and get back to where I was. That's my job.”
Hussain: England reduced when Stokes can't bowl
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Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain says England are reduced when captain Stokes can't bowl and admits talks need to be held with him to deal with injuries
Stokes' injury has raised concerns about whether he is fit enough to carry out his duties as an all-rounder.
“Because he's a captain and an all-rounder, he's so important to that team, but England are diminished when Stokes can't bowl and misses Test matches,” Nasser Hussain said on Sky Sports News earlier this month.
“I think the way he bowled 37 when he is coming back from a serious hamstring injury should have been discussed in this Test match.
“Tendon injuries at that age (33) are recurring and he needs to be in shape during the summer and next winter.
“At some stage someone just needs to tap him on the shoulder and say, 'Look, I think you've done your bit now.' I think it's just up to someone else to carry the burden'.
“The problem with England is that their other shippers were already struggling and their speeds were reduced.
“(Brydon) Carse was carrying niggles, (Gus) Atkinson's gears were down and (Matthew) Potts played in his first game in a row.”
Stokes will miss the start of a big year for England
England are scheduled to play six Test matches at home before they travel to Australia for the Ashes, and Stokes is set to miss the start of an important year for England.
The England captain missed three Tests against Sri Lanka at home this year and one in Pakistan after tearing his hamstring playing for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
One-off home Test in Zimbabwe (May)
- Thursday 22 May – Sunday 25 May (11am) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Test series at home in India (June-July)
- First test: Friday 20 June – Tuesday 24 June (11am) – Headingley, Leeds
- Second test: Wednesday 2nd July – Sunday 6th July (11am) – Edgbaston, Birmingham
- Third test: Thursday July 10 – Monday July 14 (11am) – Lord's, London
- fourth test: Wednesday July 23-Sunday July 7 (11am) – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- Fifth test: Thursday, July 31 – Monday, August 4 (11am) – Kia Oval, London
Ashes in Australia (November 2025-January 2026)
- First test: Friday 21 November – Tuesday 25 June (2.30pm) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second test: Thursday 4 December – Monday 8 December (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third test: Wednesday 17 December – Sunday 21 December (12pm) – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- fourth test: Thursday 25 December – Monday 29 December (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
- Fifth test: Sunday 4 January – Thursday 8 January (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
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