England’s miserable Ashes campaign suffered another crushing blow after captain Ben Stokes was forced off the field with an adductor injury during the fourth morning of the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Stokes had bowled just 10 deliveries at the start of play on Wednesday when he pulled up sharply in his follow-through, immediately clutching his right groin. The England all-rounder walked straight off the field and into the dressing room, with vice-captain Harry Brook taking over leadership duties.

In a brief statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed:

“Ben Stokes is currently being assessed for a right adductor complaint. We will provide an update when more information is available.”

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Injury Adds to England’s Growing Ashes Misery

The injury is the latest setback in what has been an awful Ashes tour for England, who lost the series after defeats in the opening three Tests and are now battling to avoid a 4-1 series defeat.

Australia dominated large portions of day three in Sydney, leaving Stokes’ side under immense pressure heading into the latter stages of the match. A serious injury to their captain would not only affect this Test, but could also cast a shadow over England’s plans for the months ahead.

For Stokes personally, the timing could not be worse. The 34-year-old admitted earlier in the tour that the series had taken a significant physical and emotional toll, and this final Test was seen as a chance to restore some pride.

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Dreams of Ashes Glory End in Frustration

Before the tour began in Perth, Stokes spoke openly about his ambition to join the select group of England captains who have won an Ashes series in Australia.

By the time England arrived in Sydney, however, those hopes had long since faded. The tour has been marred by poor performances, loss of form, injuries, and off-field controversy surrounding the squad’s mid-series trip to Noosa.

Reflecting on the campaign, Stokes conceded:

“It’s been a tough one.”

BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew described the moment Stokes left the field as symbolic of England’s struggles.

“If this is the way it ends, it is desperately sad,” Agnew said.
“He spoke about his dreams of flying home having won the Ashes. That won’t be happening. A really sad way for Ben Stokes’ series to end — and it sums up the whole tour.”

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A Captain Pushed to His Physical Limits

Stokes’ injury issues are not new. Over the past three years, he has battled knee, hamstring and shoulder problems, and prior to this Ashes series had failed to complete a full role in any of England’s previous four Test campaigns.

Despite those concerns, Stokes has carried a heavy workload in Australia. In Sydney, he was well into his 28th over of Australia’s first innings before breaking down. Across the tour, he has bowled 101.1 overs, the second-highest tally he has delivered in a single Test series since 2018.

England had planned to rely heavily on pace in Australia — a strategy that has unravelled due to a string of injuries.

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England’s Pace Plans Ruined by Injuries

Stokes’ setback follows injuries to several frontline bowlers:

• Mark Wood played the opening Test before being ruled out with a knee injury
• Jofra Archer suffered a side strain after featuring in the first three Tests
• Gus Atkinson sustained a hamstring injury in Melbourne and missed the Sydney Test

The loss of key fast bowlers has left England stretched and exposed throughout the series, undermining one of their core tactical plans.

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What Next for Ben Stokes and England?

Although this Ashes campaign is likely to be remembered as one of England’s most disappointing in recent history — and potentially Stokes’ final chance to win the Ashes in Australia — the captain has reiterated his intention to remain in charge.

Ahead of the tour, Stokes signed a contract extension running through to the end of the 2027 home Ashes, indicating the board’s continued faith in his leadership.

With no white-ball international or franchise commitments scheduled, Stokes is not expected to play again until the English home summer. England’s next Test assignment is a series against New Zealand in June, giving him time to recover — though the severity of the adductor injury remains unclear.

For now, England face the prospect of limping through the final stages of the Ashes without their inspirational leader, a fittingly painful conclusion to a tour that never truly caught fire.