Ashes 2021-22 | Ben Stokes narrates his near-death experience

England all-rounder Ben Stokes might not be available for the first Ashes Test between Australia and England after a horrible accident with his pills. Narrating about the incident in his column for Daily Mirror, the left-handed batter explained how he had a near-death experience with tablets. 

“It was actually down to a simple tablet that went down the wrong way and got stuck in my windpipe causing me to choke horribly before the glands in my face went into overdrive to flush it out,” Stokes wrote.

“Until it actually came out, I thought this might be the end. We’ve all had those moments when something gets stuck in the throat, and usually, someone can help you out."

"But I was on my own in my room and I couldn’t breathe as it became lodged and started to dissolve… it was a genuinely frightening experience,” the all-rounder added. 

The 30-year-old, who missed out on the T20 World Cup and the second leg of the IPL 2021 due to a mental health break, decided to turn up for Ashes after not being named initially in the squad. 

Revealing how it was the working mechanism of his body that got him out of the situation, Stokes wrote, “The team doctor came to see me straight away and she explained what had happened with the body reacting the way it did. I’m glad it did, even though I was a mess.” 

Ashley Giles, the Director of the England Men’s team said that the team doctors and physios would be working to get Stokes fit before the first game, but nothing is guaranteed as of now. 

“I’m hopeful and I’d always like to be confident, but we’ve got to treat Ben carefully, as we would anyone else who’s been in that position, of not having a lot of cricket under their belts. But he’ll be a difficult man to hold back if he’s ready to go,” he said.