\n<\/p>\n
It is a further blow to England in a desperately disappointing series, which they surrendered with losses in the opening three Tests.<\/p>\n
After Australia dominated most of the third day of the fifth Test in Sydney, Stokes’ team are facing a huge battle to avoid being on the end of a 4-1 defeat.<\/p>\n
A serious injury would be a devastating end to the tour for Stokes, who admitted the series has taken a huge personal toll.<\/p>\n
Before the first Test in Perth, the 34-year-old spoke of his desire to become one of the “lucky few” England captains to win an Ashes series down under.<\/p>\n
By the time his team arrived in Sydney at the end of a tour that has been dogged by poor performances, players out of form, injuries and controversy over England’s trip to Noosa, Stokes admitted, “it’s been a tough one”.<\/p>\n
On Test Match Special, BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew said: “If this is the way it ends, it is desperately sad. <\/p>\n
“He spoke about his dreams of flying back from here having won the Ashes. That won’t be happening. His head is bowed. A really sad way for Ben Stokes’ series to end. That sums up the whole thing really.”<\/p>\n
Stokes has battled knee, hamstring and shoulder injuries over the past three years. Prior to the Ashes, the Durham man had not managed to play a full part in any of England’s previous four Test series.<\/p>\n
In Sydney, he was into his 28th over of Australia’s first innings. The 101.1 overs he has bowled on the tour is the second-most he has delivered in a single series since 2018.<\/p>\n
England had already lost three other fast bowlers to injuries in a series in which they planned for pace to be one of their major weapons.<\/p>\n
Mark Wood played in the first Test, then was ruled out with a knee injury, while Jofra Archer suffered a side strain after playing in the first three Tests.<\/p>\n
Gus Atkinson picked up a hamstring injury in the fourth Test in Melbourne and was ruled out of the Sydney finale.<\/p>\n
Although England have lost this series in what is likely to Stokes’ last chance at winning the Ashes in Australia, he has reiterated his desire to remain as captain.<\/p>\n
Before this series he signed a contract extension that ties him to England to end of the home Ashes in 2027.<\/p>\n
With no international or franchise white-ball commitments, Stokes is not due to play again until the home summer. England’s next Test is against New Zealand in June.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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