Ben Stokes found himself on the receiving end of a brutal black eye, breaking what is considered a cardinal rule for cricket coaches. The England cricket player shared a photo on Instagram displaying his heavily bruised eye, scratches on his face, and a bandaged nose, with a humorous caption referencing the condition of the cricket ball.

The cause of Stokes’ injuries was revealed to be a mishap during a coaching session at Durham’s indoor facility, where he was struck by a ball hit by young player Robbie Bowman. Following the incident, Stokes was taken to the hospital for treatment, and he later reassured Bowman about the accident.

Durham coach Ryan Campbell disclosed that Stokes acknowledged his mistake of turning his back on the batter, emphasizing the importance of maintaining caution during coaching sessions. Despite the mishap, Stokes reached out to Bowman from the hospital to alleviate any concerns, displaying his character and sportsmanship.

Stokes is currently recuperating from a groin injury sustained during the final Ashes Test but is aiming to return for Durham’s upcoming matches before England’s Test series against Australia in June. The cricketer, contracted with England until the 2027 Ashes series, is anticipated to transition into coaching post-retirement, having amassed 120 Test appearances for his country.

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