Ben Stokes reveals gruesome facial injuries after being hit with cricket ball

England cricket legend Ben Stokes has shown the bruised and battered state of his face after he was struck with a cricket ball.

Stokes took to Instagram to post the gruesome facial injuries he sustained after being smacked by the ball that left him with a black eye, a swollen cheek and a bloody nose.

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The 34-year-old saw the funny side of the incident, posting the selfie with the caption: “You should see the state of the cricket ball” with the cry-laughing emoji.

Stokes is believed to have suffered the injury while practising at Durham’s indoor facilities.

Worse still, Stokes wasn’t even batting or bowling, but rather stood to one side before taking a ball to the face.

The England captain didn’t see the stray ball flying towards him before it smacked him on the right cheek.

Recovering from injury

Stokes has been recovering from a groin injury sustained in the final test of England’s doomed 4-1 loss to Australia in the Ashes series over the winter.

The issue sustained on day four of the fifth test prevented Stokes from bowling on the final day at the SCG.

England had the chance to save face – no pun intended – down under in Sydney but capitulated to lose by five wickets.

“We’ve played too much 3/10 cricket. If you do that in big moments, the likelihood is that things won’t fall your way,” Stokes said after the fifth test loss.

“Teams are understanding how to operate against us and we need to work out what we can do better.

“We have to be honest and straightforward in the dressing room. I don’t think you can progress otherwise.”

Instagram | @stokesy

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Stokes’ position as captain is under scrutiny amid an ongoing ECB review into the doomed series.

Stokes set for coaching?

In the wake of England’s doomed Ashes series in Australia, Stokes has made his first move into coaching as he helps to guide the England Lions.

Stokes will join Andrew Flintoff’s backroom staff for three-match T20 series and five 50-over matches against Pakistan’s string in the UAE.

The spell in the Middle East will allow Stokes to continue his rehabilitation from the groin issue.

It won’t be the first time Stokes has featured alongside Flintoff, the pair having worked together for the Northern Superchargers in last year’s Hundred.

Moeen linking up with Stokes

Moeen Ali, who initially retired from international cricket in 2024, will also be part of the coaching staff.

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However, later Moeen Ali reversed his decision to quit the county game, and in the time since has joined Yorkshire and is committed to playing in the T20 Blast.

The 38-year-old spoke out in support of former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq five years ago after he experienced racism while at the club.

“There was no doubt in my mind [to join Yorkshire]. There has definitely been a change throughout all of the counties, all the way through from coaches to umpires,” he said of his decision to cancel retirement plans.