Ashes 2025-26: Ben Stokes suffers groin injury on day four of Sydney Test

England's injury woes continue as captain Ben Stokes suffered a right groin strain on the fourth day of the fifth Test on Wednesday, January 7.

Stokes was bowling his 28th over of the first innings, the most by any England bowler at that stage, when he felt pain and immediately walked back to the dressing room holding his groin. Incidentally, left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell bowled the remaining two balls of the over.

An official statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed that the skipper was being assessed for right adductor muscle strain. 

 "Ben Stokes is currently being assessed for a right adductor complaint. We will provide an update when more information is available," the ECB stated.

The injury occurred merely 15 minutes into the day's play. The all-rounder was bowling the innings' 127th over as Australia were 523/7, leading by 139 runs. As a matter of fact, Harry Brook - the vice captain - took over the captaincy duties for the first time in the series.

Despite the injury Stokes was expected to bat in the second innings and so he did. Notably, the 34-year-old came out to bat at number 8 instead of number 6. His stay at the crease was short-lived as he was out caught in the slips off Webster for 1(5).

England lead by 119 runs with two wickets in hand

Australia were all out for 567 in the first innings, taking a lead of 183 runs. England suffered an early blow in the form of Zak Crawley for one. Ben Duckett (42) put up a decent stand with Bethell before chopping one on to the stumps. Joe Root (6) could not contribute much as he was out leg before wicket.

Bethell kept going at the other end as Harry Brook (42) and wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith (26) gave him good company. The southpaw completed his maiden Test hundred and is still at the crease batting at 142 runs off 232 balls.

England finished the day on 302/8, leading by 119 runs as the match moves into the final day of the series.