Ben Stokes: England all-rounder out for up to 12 weeks with fractured finger
- Published
Stokes' Royals were beaten in their opening match of the IPL on Monday
England all-rounder Ben Stokes will be out for up to 12 weeks after an X-ray and scan showed he would need surgery on a fractured left index finger.
He will miss England's home Test series against New Zealand starting on 2 June.
Stokes, 29, is currently in India with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, but will fly home on Saturday and have surgery in Leeds on Monday.
He was injured while fielding during the Royals' four-run loss to Punjab Kings on Monday.
Stokes is a doubt for the white-ball games against Sri Lanka (23 June-4 July) and Pakistan (8-20 July).
After the two-Test New Zealand series, England have a five-Test series against India in August and September, before the Men's T20 World Cup in India and the Ashes in Australia in the winter.
Stokes was named Wisden's leading cricketer in the world for the second year in a row on Wednesday.
Should we eat bacteria?: One simple thing that could improve your life!
Summer drinks have come early: Top tips for taking your cocktails outside
