England captain Ben Stokes is facing fresh injury concerns following a demanding third day (Friday, December 19) of the third Ashes Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Former England cricketer Isa Guha said that Stokes did not bowl, left the field, and appeared to be checking his right groin during play.
Stokes resumed England’s innings alongside Jofra Archer. The pair added 106 runs for the ninth wicket, one of England’s best partnerships of the series, and helped steady the innings. Mitchell Starc dismissed Stokes, who scored 83 runs. England were bowled out and then had to take the field with a deficit of 85 runs.
Ben Stokes Was Seen Checking His Right Groin - Isa Guha
Ben Stokes was expected to be important with the ball for England in the second innings. England needed him to help put pressure on Australia and keep the game alive.
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However, Stokes did not bowl despite England bowling 66 overs. He also looked uncomfortable while fielding late in the day. Isa Guha said that Stokes is carrying a small injury. He briefly left the field and was seen checking his right groin.
“It wouldn’t be fatigue. There is absolutely no way it would be fatigue with the situation of the game,” Guha said.
“I heard a stat that he has spent only 90 minutes off the field of play. He has been batting. Stokes has been bowling. He has been captaining, he has given it absolutely everything in every Test match and that has just cost him in the end," she added.
“There is clearly a niggle. There is clearly a reason he is not bowling. He went off the field at one stage and he was having a look at his right groin at one stage on the field. That is not good news.”
Ben Stokes’ Fitness a Growing Worry for England
Ben Stokes came into the Ashes already carrying fitness concerns. He had shoulder surgery before the series and missed the final match against India in August. England have depended heavily on him. Stokes made a big impact with the ball in the first innings in Perth.
England’s Bazball style has also created problems. They bat so quickly that their bowlers get very little rest between innings.
Archer was excellent in the first innings, taking five wickets. However, on Friday, he bowled fewer overs and was tidy rather than threatening. Stokes did not bowl at all. With another Test coming up within a week, followed by the New Year’s match in Sydney, Stokes’ fitness is a major concern for England.
Ben Stokes Just Wasn't Able to Get Himself Up - Adam Gilchrist
Aussie great Adam Gilchrist questioned whether Ben Stokes can continue to handle such an intense workload. He pointed out that Stokes is expected to manage leadership duties while also contributing with both bat and ball, which puts strain on him.
“Ben Stokes, we have all wondered just how much of a load can he carry?” Gilchrist said.
“The captaincy. The tactics.The bat. The ball. Well, he didn’t have the ball today because of all that time out there in the field yesterday batting, he just wasn’t able to get himself up. I don’t know if it is an injury, or just fatigue.”
Also read: KL Rahul back in T20 World Cup 2026 reckoning; Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad re-enter picture
Ben Stokes injured during 3rd Ashes Test, England hide issue but commentator exposes truth
Published - 19 Dec 2025, 02:58 PM | Updated - 19 Dec 2025, 02:59 PM
England captain Ben Stokes is facing fresh injury concerns following a demanding third day (Friday, December 19) of the third Ashes Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Former England cricketer Isa Guha said that Stokes did not bowl, left the field, and appeared to be checking his right groin during play.
Stokes resumed England’s innings alongside Jofra Archer. The pair added 106 runs for the ninth wicket, one of England’s best partnerships of the series, and helped steady the innings. Mitchell Starc dismissed Stokes, who scored 83 runs. England were bowled out and then had to take the field with a deficit of 85 runs.
Ben Stokes Was Seen Checking His Right Groin - Isa Guha
Ben Stokes was expected to be important with the ball for England in the second innings. England needed him to help put pressure on Australia and keep the game alive.
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However, Stokes did not bowl despite England bowling 66 overs. He also looked uncomfortable while fielding late in the day. Isa Guha said that Stokes is carrying a small injury. He briefly left the field and was seen checking his right groin.
“It wouldn’t be fatigue. There is absolutely no way it would be fatigue with the situation of the game,” Guha said.
“I heard a stat that he has spent only 90 minutes off the field of play. He has been batting. Stokes has been bowling. He has been captaining, he has given it absolutely everything in every Test match and that has just cost him in the end," she added.
“There is clearly a niggle. There is clearly a reason he is not bowling. He went off the field at one stage and he was having a look at his right groin at one stage on the field. That is not good news.”
Ben Stokes’ Fitness a Growing Worry for England
Ben Stokes came into the Ashes already carrying fitness concerns. He had shoulder surgery before the series and missed the final match against India in August. England have depended heavily on him. Stokes made a big impact with the ball in the first innings in Perth.
England’s Bazball style has also created problems. They bat so quickly that their bowlers get very little rest between innings.
Archer was excellent in the first innings, taking five wickets. However, on Friday, he bowled fewer overs and was tidy rather than threatening. Stokes did not bowl at all. With another Test coming up within a week, followed by the New Year’s match in Sydney, Stokes’ fitness is a major concern for England.
Ben Stokes Just Wasn't Able to Get Himself Up - Adam Gilchrist
Aussie great Adam Gilchrist questioned whether Ben Stokes can continue to handle such an intense workload. He pointed out that Stokes is expected to manage leadership duties while also contributing with both bat and ball, which puts strain on him.
“Ben Stokes, we have all wondered just how much of a load can he carry?” Gilchrist said.
“The captaincy. The tactics.The bat. The ball. Well, he didn’t have the ball today because of all that time out there in the field yesterday batting, he just wasn’t able to get himself up. I don’t know if it is an injury, or just fatigue.”
Also read: KL Rahul back in T20 World Cup 2026 reckoning; Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad re-enter picture
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Ben Stokes England National Cricket Team Australia National Cricket Team The Ashes Isa Guha Adam Gilchrist Australia vs England England vs AustraliaAbout the Author
Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...