England Test captain Ben Stokes is to undergo knee surgery after the World Cup.
Stokes has been unable to bowl during the tournament but hopes going under the knife will cure a problem that has hampered him for the last couple of years.
The 32-year-old expects to be fit when England return to India for a five-Test series that gets underway on January 25.
Speaking ahead of England’s clash with Australia tomorrow, he said: “I am having surgery after the World Cup.
“I will hopefully be fine for the Test series [against India].”
When things aren’t going your way, work even harder 💪#ENGLANDCRICKET | #CWC23 PIC.TWITTER.COM/ANOMJVZQMX
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) NOVEMBER 2, 2023
Stokes was giving little away when asked for further details, adding: “When we go into those meetings, we generally take a physio and doctor and they start talking. I just turn up, go to sleep, wake up and hope it is better.”
The Durham all-rounder U-turned on a previous decision to retire from one-day international cricket at the end of the summer and made himself available for the tournament in India.
And he says going into it as a specialist batter, and knowing he couldn’t bowl, has actually been a positive despite England’s dismal showings.
“This World Cup has been easier because it’s the first time it’s been made clear I won’t be bowling,” he told Sky Sports.
“In the 18 months previous, it’s been taking it day by day but being able to focus solely on influencing the game with the bat has made it a bit easier.
“I wish I could bowl and help the lads, but the conditions out here have been really hard for bowlers, it’s been so hot. You have to give bowlers, not just ours, credit for the way they’ve run in hard regardless of how they feel in the heat.”
