England‘s Test captain, Ben Stokes, is poised for a dramatic return to The Hundred this summer, three years after his last appearance.
Ben Stokes returns
Ben Stokes’ last stint in The Hundred, in the inaugural season of 2021, was cut short. He suffered a serious panic attack following a match and took a mental health break, documented in his powerful documentary “Phoenix from the Ashes.”
After overcoming the episode and a chronic knee injury, Stokes is finally back and ready to bowl pain-free.
Ben Stokes with Northern Superchargers
According to ESPNcricinfo, Ben Stokes will be available for four group-stage matches with the Northern Superchargers.
His potential debut will be on August 6th against Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston. He’ll also be available for the knockout stages if the Superchargers qualify.
Stokes reunited with Andrew Flintoff
This return is even sweeter for Stokes as he’ll be playing under the guidance of his former England teammate, Andrew Flintoff. Flintoff, recently appointed head coach of the Superchargers, is venturing into his first coaching role after assisting England’s white-ball teams in 2022.
Flintoff’s road to coaching
Andrew Flintoff’s return to cricket comes after a frightening accident while filming Top Gear in December 2022, leaving him with facial injuries and broken ribs. Despite the setback, Flintoff is enthusiastic about his new role:
“My time with the England Men’s team has been a reminder of just how special cricket is to me, and I’m relishing the opportunity to be back amongst it…helping to take cricket to more people,” Flintoff said.
The Hundred and England Test schedule
The Hundred kicks off on July 23rd, meaning England’s Test stars like Stokes will miss the first week due to their ongoing Test series against the West Indies.
This summer promises an exciting return for Stokes, not only to competitive cricket but also to a familiar teammate in a new coaching role. Fans eagerly await to see Stokes back in action and the impact Flintoff will have as the Superchargers’ head coach.
