England’s “tour from hell” has reached a painful conclusion at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
On Day 4 of the fifth and final Ashes Test, captain Ben Stokes was forced to limp off the field, dealing a final, demoralizing blow to a squad already decimated by injuries.
The Moment of Impact
The incident occurred during the morning session while Stokes was midway through his 28th over. After delivering the fourth ball, the 34-year-old talisman immediately pulled up, clutching his right groin.
Visibly grimacing, Stokes attempted to walk it off but was eventually forced to leave the field gingerly.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) quickly issued a statement confirming that the skipper is being assessed for a right adductor muscle strain.
This latest setback comes after a marathon effort from Stokes, who has been England’s most consistent bowling threat this summer, having already claimed 15 wickets in the series.
A Growing Injury Crisis
The loss of Stokes highlights a catastrophic trend for England’s pace attack during this 2025-26 series. The visitors have struggled to keep their fast bowlers on the park since the opening match in Perth:
Mark Wood: Ruled out with a knee injury after the first Test.
Jofra Archer: Sent home after the third Test due to a side strain.
Gus Atkinson: Sidelined for the Sydney Test with a hamstring injury suffered in Melbourne.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan, speaking on BBC Radio, noted the inevitability of the breakdown: “Amazingly, he’s made it to all five matches given his injury record. The disappointment on his face tells the whole story.”
The Road Ahead
Reports from the dressing room suggest Stokes still intends to bat in England’s second innings.
With Australia holding a massive 183-run lead after scoring 567, England will need their captain’s legendary resilience more than ever to avoid a 4-1 series defeat.
However, without the ability to use a runner under modern ICC playing conditions, his mobility at the crease will be a major concern for Brendon McCullum’s side.
