Stokes' shot lands England physio in hospital with broken jaw

The Indian team was not the only one facing the wrath of Ben Stokes in the recently concluded first Test match at Birmingham, England’s physio Craig de Weymarn too had his fair share of Stokes blows after the all-rounder’s shot landed the physio in hospital with a broken jaw.

The Indian team was not the only one facing the wrath of Ben Stokes in the recently concluded first Test match at Birmingham, England’s physio Craig de Weymarn too had his fair share of Stokes blows after the all-rounder’s shot landed the physio in hospital with a broken jaw.

The injury was serious and Weymarn had to undergo a surgery. He is out of danger now.

The incident happened before third day’s play at Birmingham when Weymarn was giving throwdowns to Stokes to keep him match-ready. England were one down and Stokes was supposed to bat at no.6 on Day 3. However, minutes before the start of play, Stokes hit one straight back at Weymarn giving him no chance to get of the way and the ball smacked onto his jaw.

This is not the first time such an injury has happened with an England support-staff. In April during England’s tour to New Zealand, England’s media manager Danny Reuben fractured his eye socket when he misjudged a throw from Tom Curran.

On both occasions, they were not wearing a helmet or any protective gear, something which the England and Wales Cricket Board might look into in future.

That unfortunate incident had no bearings on Stokes’ performance though. He did not get runs on Day 3 but his inspiring spell on the first session of Day 4 helped England clinch a 31-run victory in the first Test and with that a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.

Stokes has been left out of the 2^nd Test because of trials. He is scheduled to appear at Bristol Crown Court on Monday for affray charges following a brawl in September last year.

The second Test match is slated to begin from August 9 at Lord’s.