Ben Stokes will spend the final day of this Ashes tour watching from the old pavilion at the SCG and hoping for a miracle in his absence after seeing yet another Test series cut short by injury.
The all-rounder had worked hard to get through all five Tests in Australia but fell at the final hurdle, limping 10 balls and appearing in distress on the fourth morning in his opening spell. An English spokesperson later confirmed it was a problem with his right abductor (groin).
Stokes did bat later in the day, coming out at number 8, but fell for one after struggling to get to the crease. The result is that when England come to defend a target on the final day – their lead was 119 on the night, eight wickets behind – they will do so without their bowling club captain.
“I don’t know exactly what the injury is, but he’s proceeding quite gingerly,” said Jacob Bethell, who was unbeaten on 142 overnight and will be tasked with adding to the final total Australia needs to claim a 4-1 win in the series. “I don’t think that bodes well for him bowling tomorrow.”
As for his own day, having left his parents Graham and Giselle in tears at the Brewongle Stand after registering his maiden first-class century and thwarting Australia’s attack, Bethell played it as cool as he appeared in the thick of it.
Asked if his near-miss 96 in New Zealand last winter had weighed on him, the 22-year-old replied: “Not really. I knew it was coming.
“It’s just nice to have reached that milestone, it still hasn’t sunk in. It gives me a lot of confidence to keep doing it, especially because people won’t talk about it anymore. [one-day international] hundred in the summer and I had to wait a while to light the bat again, but it’s an addictive feeling. It’s quite special.”
Later, when shown his family’s celebrations, Bethell admitted, “That’s pretty special.” [Dad] is actually quite emotional. I didn’t know he would be so emotional, but it’s pretty cool to see that.”
#injured #Stokes #watches #final #day #Ashes #tour #SCG #pavilion