England captain Ben Stokes suffered a groin injury on day four (Wednesday, January 7) of the fifth and final Ashes 2025-26 Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. Stokes was forced to leave the field after raising the issue, raising concerns for England in the ongoing match.
Australia are in control and look set to wrap up the Ashes with a 4-1 series win. They still need to bat well on the final day to seal the result. Jacob Bethel scored a memorable first-class century. Beau Webster, playing his first Test in the home series, once again proved his worth with a strong performance.
Ben Stokes suffers groin injury on day four of final Ashes Test in Sydney
Ben Stokes suffered a back injury on the fourth day of the final Ashes Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He was strained while bowling early on Wednesday and left the field mid-over, with the team later confirming a problem with his right adductor.
A brief statement read, “Ben Stokes is currently being evaluated for a right adductor complaint. We will provide an update when more information becomes available.”
Stokes could not bat in his normal position during England’s second innings. He eventually came in lower down the order but struggled to move freely and scored only one run before being dismissed. England ended the day at 302-8 after Jacob Bethell scored a maiden Test century.
Stokes, who has borne the heavy burden of bowling throughout the series, is now unlikely to bowl on the final day. His fitness is a concern as England look for a win which could reduce their series defeat.
England captain Ben Stokes limped off the field with a back injury on the fourth day of the final Ashes Test against Australia.
The captain, who has bowled 101.1 overs across the Ashes, will come to the crease at No. 8 but was hobbled by injury as he faced five balls for one run. pic.twitter.com/hLXbxjvxff
– Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) 7 January 2026
Ben Stokes struggles with injuries but remains committed to England future
Stokes has struggled with injuries for many years. Knee, hamstring and shoulder problems have prevented him from playing a full role in England’s last four Test series before this Ashes tour.
Stokes recently signed a new England central contract which will run until the end of the domestic Ashes in 2027. After England’s defeat in this winter series was confirmed, he also said that he wanted to remain captain.
Stokes took five wickets in the first innings of the opening Ashes Test in Perth. However, his batting has not been on par with that success. He played nine innings and scored no centuries in the series, in what would have been his final Ashes series in Australia.
He has a history of injuries – Nasser Hussain on Ben Stokes
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has said that workload and team balance are the reasons behind Ben Stokes’ latest injury. Hussain said that Stokes plays the game with full intensity all the time and never backs down, which increases the physical load on his body.
“He has a history of injuries, but that’s the way Stokes plays cricket. He gives 100 per cent to everything, never slackens on anything.”
“He’s probably a victim of his own and his management team’s selection in this series. He’s bowled over 100 overs with a history of injuries, and on some pitches it’s 35 degrees, 40 degrees.
“Sydney should have had a spinner to bowl some overs, Adelaide should have had a frontline spinner. There wasn’t.
Also read: Jacob Bethel becomes first specialist batsman to achieve rare Test feat after scoring maiden first-class century
