Ben Stokes has opened up about a terrifying moment that nearly cost him far more than just time on the field, admitting he feels “lucky” to still be alive after a shocking injury left his face severely damaged and in need of major surgery.

The incident occurred during a routine net session with Durham County Cricket Club back in February, but what should have been a standard training day quickly turned into a life-altering ordeal. Stokes, known for his resilience and aggressive style of play, was facing deliveries as usual when a ball suddenly reared up and struck him directly in the face. The impact was brutal, shattering his cheekbone and leaving him momentarily stunned.

In a more detailed retelling of the moment, Stokes described how everything seemed normal until the split second when it wasn’t. He had just settled into his rhythm, exchanging light banter with teammates between deliveries, when a younger bowler sent down a faster, slightly misdirected ball. Stokes attempted to adjust, but the bounce was awkward and unpredictable. The ball flew toward him at an angle he hadn’t anticipated.

He instinctively turned his head at the last possible moment—an action he now believes may have saved his life.

“It was honestly terrifying,” he explained. “I felt the impact straight away, and everything just went blurry for a second. If that ball had connected slightly differently—just a couple of inches either side—it could have been catastrophic. I might not even be here talking about it now.”

Teammates and coaching staff rushed to his aid as he dropped to the ground, clutching his face. What they saw was alarming: swelling began almost immediately, and there was visible damage that made it clear this was no minor injury. Medical staff were called in urgently, and Stokes was quickly taken for assessment.

The diagnosis confirmed a fractured cheekbone, but the severity of the injury required what Stokes later described as “pretty major facial surgery.” Surgeons had to carefully reconstruct part of his face, ensuring both functionality and structural stability. The recovery process has been slow and cautious, with doctors emphasizing the importance of full healing before any return to professional cricket.

Initially, Stokes had set ambitious goals for his comeback. He hoped to participate in several early-season fixtures in the County Championship, aiming to regain match fitness and rhythm. However, after consultations with specialists, those plans were scaled back significantly. The risk of re-injury—particularly another blow to the face—was simply too great.

As it stands, he is now targeting a return in early May, potentially featuring in matches against Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Kent County Cricket Club. These games would serve as crucial preparation ahead of England’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand national cricket team, scheduled to begin in early June.

There is also the possibility of him appearing for the England Lions in a fixture against South Africa A cricket team, which could offer valuable match time in a slightly less intense environment.

Durham’s head coach, Ryan Campbell, had previously indicated that Stokes was eager to get back onto the field as soon as possible. Before the injury setback, the plan had been for him to feature in roughly half of Durham’s opening matches. However, those expectations had to be adjusted in light of the medical advice.

Campbell explained that while Stokes might have been physically capable of batting sooner, the broader risks—especially while fielding—made any early return impractical. “Even if he just played as a batter, there’s still the chance of being hit again,” he noted. “The specialists have been very clear: everything needs to heal completely before he can safely resume.”

Adding to the difficulty of his situation, this injury came shortly after another physical setback. During England’s recent Ashes tour, Stokes suffered an adductor injury in the closing stages of the series, which England cricket team ultimately lost 4–1 to Australia national cricket team. The combination of physical pain and professional disappointment created a particularly challenging period for the England captain.

Off the field, Stokes admitted that the aftermath of the Ashes defeat weighed heavily on his mind. Rather than being able to switch off and recover mentally, he found himself obsessing over what had gone wrong and how things could be improved.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” he said. “It was constant. I’d try to switch off, maybe relax for a bit, but then I’d be back at it—writing notes, going over scenarios, thinking about the future.”

He described this mental state as something he had never experienced before in his career. The intensity of his thoughts, combined with the emotional impact of the loss, left him feeling almost consumed by the game.

Yet instead of viewing this as a negative, Stokes chose to reframe it as a sign of his deep commitment to the role. For him, the inability to let go of the disappointment became evidence of how much he still cares about leading England and driving the team forward.

He explained that if he had returned home and simply distanced himself from cricket, it might have indicated a lack of desire to continue as captain. Instead, his relentless focus—while exhausting—reinforced his determination to improve and ensure such a defeat is not repeated.

Looking ahead, Stokes remains optimistic. Despite the physical and mental challenges he has faced, his focus is firmly on recovery, preparation, and leading England into the upcoming season with renewed purpose.

“I’ve come through it,” he said. “It was scary, no doubt about that. But I’m still here, and everything’s okay. Now it’s about getting back out there and doing what I love.”

His journey back to full fitness may be gradual, but if his past resilience is anything to go by, Stokes is unlikely to let this setback define him. Instead, it may serve as yet another chapter in a career already marked by extraordinary highs, difficult lows, and an unwavering determination to push forward.