Stokes is Out and I'm Honestly Gutted

By Lewis Barnett 31 July, 2025 5 mins read 158 Views

Well, this is just brilliant.

Ben Stokes – you know, England's captain and basically the guy who makes everything happen – is going to miss the final test against India. The one that actually matters. The decider at The Oval that kicks off today, and our skipper is nowhere to be found.

I've been following this series since June, and honestly? It's been a rollercoaster that would make Alton Towers jealous. England grabbed the first test by five wickets (decent start), then India absolutely demolished us in the second by 336 runs. Ouch. That stung like stepping on a Lego barefoot.

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That Third Test Though...

The third test was pure cinema. England won by just 22 runs, and I'm still laughing about how it ended. Mohammed Siraj – poor guy – clipped a ball that literally rolled back onto his stumps for the final wicket. You couldn't script that if you tried. My mate Dave texted me: "Did that actually just happen?" Yes, Dave. Yes it did.

Then the fourth test at Old Trafford ended in a draw with India sitting pretty at 425/4 when they shook hands. Fair enough.

So What's Wrong With Stokes?

Shoulder injury. Again.

The man's body is basically held together with determination and medical tape at this point. He's looking at six to seven weeks out, which means he'll be watching from his sofa like the rest of us. Jacob Bethell gets the call-up (good for him), and Ollie Pope takes over as captain.

Here's the thing that's really annoying me – Stokes has been battling fitness issues throughout this entire series. You could see it in his bowling, the way he'd wince after certain deliveries. The guy's been playing through pain, and now it's caught up with him at the worst possible moment.

Jofra's Missing Too (Because Why Not?)

Oh, and Jofra Archer? Also out. The guy who made his triumphant return to international cricket this summer – remember all that excitement? – is also missing from the final test squad. It's like watching your favorite band lose their lead singer and drummer before the encore.

At least England only need a draw to win the series. We're 2-1 up, so technically we just need to not lose. But knowing England cricket, that's probably asking too much.

God, I hope Pope doesn't mess this up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the over in cricket?

In cricket an over is defined as six consecutive legal deliveries made by a pitcher from one end to the other of the pitch. The play moves to the opposite side of the pitch after an over. A different bowler will bowl the over that follows. The sequence of six delivery allows the game progress, and adds strategic elements to the game as each team tries to maximize its scoring or limit the opposition with each over.

What are the fundamental rules of cricket?

Cricket is a game played between two teams of eleven players each. The main objective is to score runs when a team bats and to dismiss the batsmen when a team bowls and fields. Each team bats and bowls in turn. The team that is batting has two players, who run between the wickets to score runs, while the team fielding and throwing the ball tries not to allow this. The team with the highest number of runs at the end of the match is declared the winner.

What are the responsibilities of a Captain in Cricket?

The cricket captain is a key player in the team, both strategically and as a leader. The captain is responsible for key decisions such as setting the batting order, determining fielding placement and when to use certain bowlers. The captain represents the team on the field by communicating with umpires, motivating players and guiding them. Above all, captains embody the team's philosophy and make adjustments to their tactics during games to secure victory.

Can you explain what a 'no-ball' and 'wide ball' are in cricket?

A 'no ball' is when a pitcher breaks the rules. This can include overstepping a front crease or bowling high full tosses above waist height. A wide ball is when the batsman cannot reach the delivery and is deemed that the delivery would not allow them to score. Both "no-balls" and "wides" result in additional runs being awarded for the batting team.

How does a Cricket pitch get prepared and maintained?

For a cricket pitch to be suitable for use, it must be prepared and maintained with care. To create a surface that will allow for consistent ball behavior, groundsmen roll and flatten it. To maintain the hardness of the pitch, it needs to be mowed on a regular basis, watered whenever necessary, then rolled out with a heavy rolling machine. The pitch will need to be repaired by grounds staff during a series of cricket matches. This includes any damage from bowlers or their foot prints.

Statistics

Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets in international cricket, with a staggering 1,347 wickets to his name.
Australia's Women's Cricket Team holds the record for the longest winning streak in ODIs, with 26 consecutive wins from 2018 to 2021.
In 1999, the Indian team set a Test match record for the most runs scored in a single day's play, putting up 588 runs against New Zealand.
As of January 2023, England holds the record for the highest team score in a One Day International (ODI) match, having scored 481-6 against Australia in 2018.
Australia's Margaret Peden holds the earliest recorded instance of a double century in women's Test cricket, scoring 204 runs against England in 1935.

External Links

How To

How to Strengthen Your Fielding Skills in Cricket

Cricket requires strong fielding skills. Improve your reflexes and agility with dynamic fielding drills like catching, diving and throwing at targets. You can improve your endurance and speed by improving your fitness. It is important to adapt and anticipate the batsman’s shots. Practice with your teammates to improve communication and teamwork. These are essential components for successful fielding units.