England Test captain Ben Stokes has vowed to always wear a helmet after he suffered a scary eye injury that required immediate surgery. The star all-rounder says he will now always wear a helmet every single time he comes out to bat, whether it is during a match or just during practice sessions.
Ben Stokes Undergoes Eye Surgery After Training Accident
Earlier this week, Ben Stokes shared a picture of himself on Instagram, showing his badly bruised and swollen right eye and cheek. He underwent surgery after being struck in the eye by a cricket ball. Sharing the image, Ben Stokes wrote, “May not look like it…. But the surgery was a success.”
For the unversed, the 34-year-old England cricketer sustained this injury after a ball smashed him on his face while standing to the side during a net-session. Immediately after sustaining the injury, the England captain shared a humorous post on Instagram. Sharing an image of his injured face, Ben Stokes wrote, “You Should See The State Of The Cricket Ball.”
What happened to ben stokes 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/L1Ttb5OQAA
— Men’s Cricket (@MensCricket) February 5, 2026
Ben Stokes Makes Helmet Promise After Being Struck in the Eye
On Sunday, Ben Stokes took to his official X handle and shared his thoughts on the incident. Clearly, the unfortunate incident has left a mark on him, and he admitted he has changed his thinking about batting without a helmet, especially against the spinners.
“I never understood the no helmet when spin is bowling, tbf I used to have throw downs with no helmet,” Ben Stokes wrote on X. “After my accident last week and getting seriously lucky with the outcome I’ll never not wear a helmet, cricket balls do serious damage,” he added.
I never understood the no helmet when spin is bowling , tbf I used to have throw downs with no helmet 🤦♂️
After my accident last week and getting seriously lucky with the outcome I’ll never not wear a helmet , cricket balls do serious damage !!!!
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) February 15, 2026
Yet to Return to Competitive Cricket:
Ben Stokes hasn’t played any competitive cricket since the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He is expected to lead the England cricket team again in the upcoming Test series against the New Zealand national cricket team. During the Ashes 2025-26, Ben Stokes also suffered an adductor injury on the penultimate day of the series, as per a report by the BBC.
Ben Stokes’ focus appears to be on recovery and safety. After such a frightening experience, his message is simple and clear. No more batting without a helmet.
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