ODI World Cup 2023

‘Kyu nahi khel raha hai’ – Fans react as hip injury likely to keep Ben Stokes out of World Cup 2023 opener against New Zealand

Harry Brook likely to replace Ben Stokes against New Zealand.

Oct 4, 2023 8:51 pm

The number of injured players for the ODI World Cup 2023 opener is increasing even with just a day to go before the start of the tournament. the star batter of England, Ben Stokes, is likely to miss the inaugural match of the ODI World Cup 2023 due to a hip injury. the reports suggest that Stokes is not fully fit to play the first match of the tournament against New Zealand.

The English captain Jos Buttler said in the press conference that Ben Stokes’ condition will be assessed before the match tomorrow. But the reports suggest that Stokes is likely to miss out on the game against New Zealand. In the place of Stokes, Harry Brook is likely to play in the playing XI for England. The fans are disappointed as the number of injuries continues to increase.

For the inaugural match of the tournament, three star players are likely to not play. From New Zealand, Kane Williamson and Tim Southee are set to miss the inaugural match of the tournament against England. From England, Ben Stokes is set to miss the match. These are some of the biggest ODI players in the last few years. Fans will miss them in action in the season opener.

England to miss their big match player against New Zealand

Brook can be considered a like-to-like replacement for Stokes. But the calibre and form of Stokes will surely be missed by England in the match against New Zealand. Fans were excited to watch him bat against New Zealand. But the news of Stokes’ hip injury comes as bad news for the fans of Stokes and England. Stokes might return to the second match of the tournament.

In the final of the 2019 ODI World Cup, Stokes scored an unbeaten 84*(98) against New Zealand, which was helpful in England equaling New Zealand’s score in the match. The knock of Stokes is remembered even today as one of the best performances in a World Cup final. Stokes, who had retired in 2022, returned to ODIs to represent England in the ODI World Cup 2023.

Here’s how the fans reacted to the news –

Kane not playing, stokes not playing so why should I even go to the stadium pic.twitter.com/1cOeIqlaIU

— Avinash P (@avinashparmar97) October 4, 2023