JUST IN: Ben Stokes Unlikely To Play Against NZ In World Cup Opener

image-lnbo0s1uBen Stokes is set to play at Number 4 for England (AP Photo)

After making a remarkable U-turn on his ODI retirement earlier this year, Ben Stokes is all set to make an appearance in the 2023 World Cup edition. However, his participation in the World Cup opener against New Zealand hangs in doubt. As per reports, the charismatic all-rounder has developed a hip niggle which can potentially impede his performance during the first World Cup match.

England took on Bangladesh in their preceding warm-up fixture on October 2 where Stokes did not participate with either the bat or the ball. Should the condition be very worrisome, then Stokes could miss out on the first game of the 2023 World Cup edition. However, the true extent of his injury is yet to be ascertained at this point.



The troubling injury concern of Stokes would have surely sent tremors in the English camp. The 2019 World Cup champions have been rocked by a massive injury scare ahead of its high-octane clash against New Zealand in the World Cup opener. Meanwhile, the English captain Jos Buttler is expected to provide a briefing on Stokes' availability the following day ahead of the first match.

Previously, Stokes made a surprising return to ODI cricket after ending a 14-month-long hiatus. After revoking his retirement decision, Stokes was drafted into the England ODI squad for a 4-match ODI series against the Blackcaps last month where he scored 235 runs at a remarkable average of 78.33. However, the 32-year-old did not bowl in that entire series. 

With less than 24 hours to go before the first match gets underway, it remains to be seen whether Stokes will be fit enough to feature in England’s first World Cup encounter against New Zealand on October 5.