'I ain't holding back', says Stokes after injury

Ben Stokes missed four Tests because of a hamstring injury earlier this year

England captain Ben Stokes says he "ain't holding back" with his bowling, despite suffering a second hamstring injury in the space of five months.

Stokes, 33, limped off the field on the third day of the 423-run defeat by New Zealand in the third Test in Hamilton. He will have a scan on Wednesday.

The 23 overs Stokes bowled on the first day is the most he has sent down in a single day. The 36.2 overs in the match is his most for more than two years and 66.1 in the series is Stokes' most as captain.

"I'm obviously very disappointed, but every setback I come back stronger," Stokes told BBC Sport.

"There's no doubt I'll be going away from here, working [hard] as I always do and getting myself back to where I was in this game."

Stokes' bowling was hampered throughout 2023 by a long-term left knee problem, upon which he had surgery a year ago.

He then suffered the first hamstring problem playing in The Hundred in August, causing the Durham man to miss three Tests against Sri Lanka and one in Pakistan.

Stokes admitted the effort to get fit for the final two Tests in Pakistan took a mental toll, but he looked back to his best in New Zealand, the country of his birth.

In Hamilton, he was bowling his third over of the third day, then pulled up in his follow-through. He was emotional as he left the field and played no further part in the match. It was initially thought he would have a scan before the fourth day, only for it to be delayed until after the Test.

"There's no doubt I was incredibly frustrated last night, in particular with how much graft I'd put in until then," said Stokes. "I felt so good about everything. I felt my rhythm was back with the ball, I bowled a lot of overs, my body was feeling good.

"The first time I feel like a young man again is when I pick something else up."

England's next Test, at home to Zimbabwe, is not until May. After that come marquee series at home to India and away to Australia.

Stokes' fitness is vital to the balance of the England team. The all-rounder often throws himself into long spells of bowling and, when asked if they may have to be curtailed, he said: "It's just one of those unfortunate things. I ain't holding back.

"Every time you walk out on the field you're at risk of injury. You can't play for anything in this game."

England coach Brendon McCullum said he might have to remind Stokes "he's not as young as he used to be", without taking the "flair" away.

"That's what makes him great," said McCullum. "He takes himself to places that other people aren't prepared to. He pushes boundaries constantly of where he thinks he can take his body.

"If you try to chisel off any rough edges of those types of mavericks, you end up with a vanilla product and no-one wants that. We want Ben Stokes being the maverick that he is.

"We'll have to deal with it every now and then, he's going to get a little bit injured. That's life, right? You can't prepare for every situation."