Ben Stokes has responded to criticism on social media about his participation in The Hundred, which saw him suffer a season-ending hamstring injury.
Last month, Stokes had been confirmed to participate in four matches for the Northern Superchargers in the competition. These would come following the conclusion of England's home Test series against West Indies.
In his third match of the season, on August 11 against the Manchester Originals, Stokes opened the batting for his side as they attempted to chase 153 in 100 balls. He made his way to two off four balls before completing a quick single and pulling up injured. Stokes had to retire hurt, and it was later confirmed that he had torn his hamstring and would be out for the rest of the summer.
Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the remainder of England's Test summer, after scans confirmed he picked up a tear to his left hamstring in Sunday's Hundred fixture.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 13, 2024
Ollie Pope will captain England in his absence.
READ: https://t.co/FUOYLZNpTq#ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/r3xTJnNl27
His injury was not taken well by many who felt the Hundred was not a tournament Stokes had to participate in. The all-rounder sat out of the IPL and of England's T20 World Cup title defence in order to prioritise Test cricket, but chose to add to his two Hundred appearances this season.
On Wednesday, Scott Wilson of the Northern Echo took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise Stokes' participation in the competition, calling it a "circus" and labelling the situation "utterly farcical". He also claimed that the England captain wasn't "allowed to play any county cricket for Durham".
Responding to the post, Stokes said, "Chief Sports Writer??? I played 3 Championship games for Durham this year"
Chief Sports Writer???
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) August 14, 2024
I played 3 Championship games for Durham this year https://t.co/ni40mB0i6m
Stokes turned out for Durham against Lancashire, Somerset and Worcestershire ahead of England's Tests against West Indies, in an attempt to gain match fitness. Stokes has recovered from knee surgery only recently, but managed to make a return to bowling for England during the Test series.
Despite his prioritisation of red-ball cricket, he is by no means off the white-ball circuit. Earlier today, MI Cape Town announced that they had secured Stokes' services for the upcoming season of SA20, which will take place in January-February 2025.
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