×
England’s Ben Stokes ‘quite lucky’ to be alive after facial injury England Test captain Ben Stokes has said he feels “quite lucky” to be alive after being hit in the face by a cricket ball.All-rounder Stokes suffered a broken cheekbone after being hit by the ball during a net session while he was coaching academy players at his county side Durham in February.Stokes underwent surgery and is set to play in two first-class County Championship games next month, but he revealed the incident could have been so much worse.“I copped one straight in the face,” the 34-year-old told the England and Wales Cricket Board.“Pretty nasty but, funnily, probably the best result of a bad situation, to be honest. Just a couple of inches one way or the other, I might not be here doing this interview, if I didn’t turn my head round.ALSO READ | Stokes shuts down talk of rift with coach McCullum“All things considered, although I had pretty major facial surgery to sort it out, it was a bit of a mess under here (cheekbone), I’ve got out quite lucky. So pretty thankful for that.”He added: “Obviously it set everything back about a month, five weeks, with getting back to where I wanted to be to play at the start of the season for Durham, but just had to sort of quickly go back to the drawing board and put a plan together to get me ready to play a couple of games for Durham before the Test summer starts.“At the back end of all that now but it was a pretty scary situation. Thankfully still here and everything’s all right.”Stokes is expected to be fit to lead England in the first Test of its home season against New Zealand at Lord’s starting on June 4 as it looks to recover from its woeful 4-1 Ashes humiliation in Australia.Published on Apr 15, 2026 #Englands #Ben #Stokes #lucky #alive #facial #injury

England’s Ben Stokes ‘quite lucky’ to be alive after facial injury

England Test captain Ben Stokes has said he feels “quite lucky” to be alive after being hit in the face by a cricket ball.

All-rounder Stokes suffered a broken cheekbone after being hit by the ball during a net session while he was coaching academy players at his county side Durham in February.

Stokes underwent surgery and is set to play in two first-class County Championship games next month, but he revealed the incident could have been so much worse.

“I copped one straight in the face,” the 34-year-old told the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“Pretty nasty but, funnily, probably the best result of a bad situation, to be honest. Just a couple of inches one way or the other, I might not be here doing this interview, if I didn’t turn my head round.

ALSO READ | Stokes shuts down talk of rift with coach McCullum

“All things considered, although I had pretty major facial surgery to sort it out, it was a bit of a mess under here (cheekbone), I’ve got out quite lucky. So pretty thankful for that.”

He added: “Obviously it set everything back about a month, five weeks, with getting back to where I wanted to be to play at the start of the season for Durham, but just had to sort of quickly go back to the drawing board and put a plan together to get me ready to play a couple of games for Durham before the Test summer starts.

“At the back end of all that now but it was a pretty scary situation. Thankfully still here and everything’s all right.”

Stokes is expected to be fit to lead England in the first Test of its home season against New Zealand at Lord’s starting on June 4 as it looks to recover from its woeful 4-1 Ashes humiliation in Australia.

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#Englands #Ben #Stokes #lucky #alive #facial #injury

Sports news , , , , , , , , ,

England Test captain Ben Stokes has said he feels “quite lucky” to be alive after being hit in the face by a cricket ball.

All-rounder Stokes suffered a broken cheekbone after being hit by the ball during a net session while he was coaching academy players at his county side Durham in February.

Stokes underwent surgery and is set to play in two first-class County Championship games next month, but he revealed the incident could have been so much worse.

“I copped one straight in the face,” the 34-year-old told the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“Pretty nasty but, funnily, probably the best result of a bad situation, to be honest. Just a couple of inches one way or the other, I might not be here doing this interview, if I didn’t turn my head round.

ALSO READ | Stokes shuts down talk of rift with coach McCullum

“All things considered, although I had pretty major facial surgery to sort it out, it was a bit of a mess under here (cheekbone), I’ve got out quite lucky. So pretty thankful for that.”

He added: “Obviously it set everything back about a month, five weeks, with getting back to where I wanted to be to play at the start of the season for Durham, but just had to sort of quickly go back to the drawing board and put a plan together to get me ready to play a couple of games for Durham before the Test summer starts.

“At the back end of all that now but it was a pretty scary situation. Thankfully still here and everything’s all right.”

Stokes is expected to be fit to lead England in the first Test of its home season against New Zealand at Lord’s starting on June 4 as it looks to recover from its woeful 4-1 Ashes humiliation in Australia.

Published on Apr 15, 2026

Source link
#Englands #Ben #Stokes #lucky #alive #facial #injury

Tag
Previous post

X Money Adds Live Crypto Cashtags: Coin Discovery Revolution?

Next post

Deadspin | Avalanche down Flames, tie franchise’s season mark for points <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28730266.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28730266.jpg" alt="NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 14, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) and Calgary Flames defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz (48) battle for the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Gabriel Landeskog scored a tiebreaking goal late in the third period, Martin Necas had an assist to reach 100 points for the first time in his career, and the visiting Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Artturi Lehkonen and Nathan MacKinnon scored goals and Mackenzie Blackwood turned away 30 shots for Colorado (54-16-11). The Avalanche have 119 points, tying the franchise record set during the 2021-22 season, when they won the Stanley Cup.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>MacKinnon notched his NHL-leading 53rd goal of the season in his battle for the Rocket Richard Trophy. He has a two-goal lead over the Montreal Canadiens’ Cole Caufield. Both have one game remaining.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Cale Makar logged three assists for the Avalanche in his return to the lineup after missing seven games due to an upper-body injury. Devon Toews and Brock Nelson were healthy scratches, and Nazem Kadri (finger) and Josh Manson (upper-body injury) remain sidelined.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Colorado coach Jared Bednar missed his second consecutive game. Bednar didn’t travel on the two-game trip due to facial fractures and a corneal abrasion sustained when he was hit by a puck during the Avalanche’s Saturday game against the Vegas Golden Knights.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Blake Coleman had a goal and Dustin Wolf made 36 saves for Calgary (33-39-9, 75 points).</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>The Avalanche got the winner when Landeskog won an offensive-zone faceoff back to Makar, who sent it to Brett Kulak. Landeskog, stationed in front of the crease, deflected Kulak’s shot past Wolf at 15:07.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Wolf came off for an extra skater and MacKinnon scored into the empty net at 19:43. Necas got the second assist on the goal to reach his personal milestone.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>After a scoreless first period, the Flames broke through early in the second. Mikael Backlund had the puck at the point and sent a shot to the front of the net. Coleman, batting in the slot, got his stick on the puck as it glided on the ice, and it deflected over Blackwood’s shoulder at 7:22.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>It was Coleman’s 20th goal of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The Avalanche tied it when Makar fed Lehkonen for a one-timer at 11:25 of the second.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Avalanche #Flames #tie #franchises #season #mark #points

Related Posts

Deadspin | Stars coach: Roope Hintz out of Games 1, 2 vs. Wild Mar 6, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) is helped off the ice by left wing Jason Robertson (21) after being injured during the game between the Stars and the Avalanche at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz will not play in the first two games of the Western Conference first-round series against the Minnesota Wild due to a lower-body injury, head coach Glen Gulutzan announced. Hintz has been sidelined since sustaining his injury while jostling along the boards with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon during the Stars’ 5-4 shootout loss on March 6. “Certainly, Roope won’t be in Games 1 or 2,” Gulutzan said. “We don’t know when he could come back or if he could come back. We’ll see.” Hintz, 29, has recorded 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) and a plus-16 rating in 53 games this season. He has totaled 421 points (190 goals, 231 assists) in 521 career games since being selected by the Stars in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stars #coach #Roope #Hintz #Games #WildMar 6, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) is helped off the ice by left wing Jason Robertson (21) after being injured during the game between the Stars and the Avalanche at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz will not play in the first two games of the Western Conference first-round series against the Minnesota Wild due to a lower-body injury, head coach Glen Gulutzan announced.

Hintz has been sidelined since sustaining his injury while jostling along the boards with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon during the Stars’ 5-4 shootout loss on March 6.


“Certainly, Roope won’t be in Games 1 or 2,” Gulutzan said. “We don’t know when he could come back or if he could come back. We’ll see.”

Hintz, 29, has recorded 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) and a plus-16 rating in 53 games this season.

He has totaled 421 points (190 goals, 231 assists) in 521 career games since being selected by the Stars in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stars #coach #Roope #Hintz #Games #Wild">Deadspin | Stars coach: Roope Hintz out of Games 1, 2 vs. Wild Mar 6, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) is helped off the ice by left wing Jason Robertson (21) after being injured during the game between the Stars and the Avalanche at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz will not play in the first two games of the Western Conference first-round series against the Minnesota Wild due to a lower-body injury, head coach Glen Gulutzan announced. Hintz has been sidelined since sustaining his injury while jostling along the boards with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon during the Stars’ 5-4 shootout loss on March 6. “Certainly, Roope won’t be in Games 1 or 2,” Gulutzan said. “We don’t know when he could come back or if he could come back. We’ll see.” Hintz, 29, has recorded 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) and a plus-16 rating in 53 games this season. He has totaled 421 points (190 goals, 231 assists) in 521 career games since being selected by the Stars in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stars #coach #Roope #Hintz #Games #Wild

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has adopted the ‘Kohima Declaration’ for giving a major push to develop athletics in Nagaland and the Northeast through targeted interventions, infrastructure support and promotion of the region as a hub for national and international competitions.

Adopted at the conclusion of its two-day annual general meeting here, the declaration emphasises integrating the Northeast into the national sporting ecosystem while creating pathways for youth to excel at the highest levels.

It also underlined the role of athletics in nation-building and fostering unity across regions.

Briefing the media here on Wednesday, South Asian Athletics Federation president Lalit K. Bhanot said the meeting involved extensive deliberations and resulted in key decisions aimed at strengthening the sport.

Among them, the federation has made SRY gene testing mandatory for athletes participating in national competitions, with the cost to be borne by AFI in collaboration with the government.

The federation will also undertake DNA testing of athletes for research and performance mapping, beginning with around 100 athletes, said Bhanot.

In a move to expand grassroots participation, AFI has decided to restructure district-level bodies to ensure wider rural representation by limiting members from district headquarters and including those from villages and blocks.

To popularise athletics nationwide, the federation will organise an annual 2-kilometre race across about 700 districts on August 30 each year, Bhanot informed.

AFI vice-president and World Athletics president Adille J. Sumariwalla announced action against non-performing state units, stating that the existing bodies in Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh will be suspended and replaced by ad hoc committees.

According to Sumariwalla, Tripura and Manipur have been placed on a watch list and downgraded to associate members without voting rights, warning of further action if performance does not improve.

He also informed that foreign high-performance directors have been appointed for senior and junior athletes to enhance India’s competitive standards.

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#Athletics #Federation #India #charts #roadmap #Northeast #development #Kohima #Declaration">Athletics Federation of India charts roadmap for Northeast development under Kohima Declaration The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has adopted the ‘Kohima Declaration’ for giving a major push to develop athletics in Nagaland and the Northeast through targeted interventions, infrastructure support and promotion of the region as a hub for national and international competitions.Adopted at the conclusion of its two-day annual general meeting here, the declaration emphasises integrating the Northeast into the national sporting ecosystem while creating pathways for youth to excel at the highest levels.It also underlined the role of athletics in nation-building and fostering unity across regions.Briefing the media here on Wednesday, South Asian Athletics Federation president Lalit K. Bhanot said the meeting involved extensive deliberations and resulted in key decisions aimed at strengthening the sport.Among them, the federation has made SRY gene testing mandatory for athletes participating in national competitions, with the cost to be borne by AFI in collaboration with the government.The federation will also undertake DNA testing of athletes for research and performance mapping, beginning with around 100 athletes, said Bhanot.In a move to expand grassroots participation, AFI has decided to restructure district-level bodies to ensure wider rural representation by limiting members from district headquarters and including those from villages and blocks.To popularise athletics nationwide, the federation will organise an annual 2-kilometre race across about 700 districts on August 30 each year, Bhanot informed.AFI vice-president and World Athletics president Adille J. Sumariwalla announced action against non-performing state units, stating that the existing bodies in Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh will be suspended and replaced by ad hoc committees.According to Sumariwalla, Tripura and Manipur have been placed on a watch list and downgraded to associate members without voting rights, warning of further action if performance does not improve.He also informed that foreign high-performance directors have been appointed for senior and junior athletes to enhance India’s competitive standards.Published on Apr 15, 2026 #Athletics #Federation #India #charts #roadmap #Northeast #development #Kohima #Declaration

Deadspin | Longtime Cowboys C John Fitzgerald dies at 77 Oct 21, 1979; Irving, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach (12) lined up under center John Fitzgerald (62) against the St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Stadium. Mandatory Credit Herb Weitman-Imagn Images John Fitzgerald, the Dallas Cowboys’ starting center for most of the 1970s, died Tuesday morning. Thursday would have been the two-time Super Bowl champion’s 78th birthday. Fitzgerald played in 137 games (109 starts) with Dallas from 1971-80 after being drafted in the fourth round in 1970 out of Boston College. He was a member of the Cowboys’ first two championship teams in Super Bowls VI and XII. Fitzgerald was the center when head coach Tom Landry popularized the shotgun formation with Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Longtime #Cowboys #John #Fitzgerald #diesOct 21, 1979; Irving, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach (12) lined up under center John Fitzgerald (62) against the St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Stadium. Mandatory Credit Herb Weitman-Imagn Images

John Fitzgerald, the Dallas Cowboys’ starting center for most of the 1970s, died Tuesday morning.

Thursday would have been the two-time Super Bowl champion’s 78th birthday.


Fitzgerald played in 137 games (109 starts) with Dallas from 1971-80 after being drafted in the fourth round in 1970 out of Boston College.

He was a member of the Cowboys’ first two championship teams in Super Bowls VI and XII.

Fitzgerald was the center when head coach Tom Landry popularized the shotgun formation with Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Longtime #Cowboys #John #Fitzgerald #dies">Deadspin | Longtime Cowboys C John Fitzgerald dies at 77 Oct 21, 1979; Irving, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach (12) lined up under center John Fitzgerald (62) against the St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Stadium. Mandatory Credit Herb Weitman-Imagn Images John Fitzgerald, the Dallas Cowboys’ starting center for most of the 1970s, died Tuesday morning. Thursday would have been the two-time Super Bowl champion’s 78th birthday. Fitzgerald played in 137 games (109 starts) with Dallas from 1971-80 after being drafted in the fourth round in 1970 out of Boston College. He was a member of the Cowboys’ first two championship teams in Super Bowls VI and XII. Fitzgerald was the center when head coach Tom Landry popularized the shotgun formation with Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Longtime #Cowboys #John #Fitzgerald #dies

Post Comment