England all-rounder Ben Stokes has signaled a return to playing cricket. Stoke videos on Instagram showed the all-rounder batting for the first time in a net session at an indoor facility since taking an indefinite break from the game in July this year. After posting a picture of him gripping a bat on Instagram on Monday for the first time in six months, Stokes posted three encouraging videos on Thursday where he was seen practicing his shots from throwdowns.

“It’s casual clothes training on a Thursday… Generally my first ball back and this is what happened (laughing face emoji)… Then a bit of making sure I don’t break my toe… Then eventually hit a nice one… Great to be back hitting balls.” England all-rounder Ben Stokes revealed he has returned to the nets for the first time since taking an indefinite break from the game. Stokes was absent from the summer’s marquee Test series against India and will also miss the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup to focus on his mental wellbeing, but he has also been troubled by a finger injury in recent months.

After suffering a fracture to his left index finger at the Indian Premier League in April, necessitating surgery, Stokes was still struggling with lingering discomfort in the area when he aborted a tentative comeback in July. He had a second operation on October 4 to remove two screws and scar tissue and is said to be in better spirits, posting a picture of himself on Instagram on Monday gripping a bat properly for the first time in six months. And he went a step further by taking part in what looked like a gentle net session on Thursday, uploading three Instagram videos where he was receiving some throwdowns from England’s physiotherapist Craig De Weymarn.

Stokes said: “Great to be back hitting balls.” Stokes’ update is likely to fuel speculation he will feature in the Ashes, after all, having been considered unavailable when the 17-man squad to tour Australia was named earlier this month. England has stressed repeatedly they will not pressure Stokes into a return, with head coach Chris Silverwood and captain Joe Root taking a hands-off approach to the situation, and Mo Bobat echoed those sentiments on Thursday. “It’s hugely positive and hugely exciting,” said the England and Wales Cricket Board’s performance director.

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Ben Stokes is getting set for a impactful return.

“Certainly it looks like the extra medical stuff that has happened and the removal of scar tissue and everything else he had done has freed up his finger and it’s given him that feeling confidence again back into his fingers. “Ultimately given what he’s experienced and where he’s been, it’s important that he and we move at the right place for him. There’s certainly no pressure or expectation from us. “It’s a case of us supporting Ben physically and however else we need to support but support him so that he can continue to progress at the rate that he would like to and he feels comfortable.”

Commenting on Stokes’s post, pacer Jofra Archer wrote, “First ball might be 4 anyway (doesn’t matter how they come).” Wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler commented, “Like riding a bike.” Stokes had pulled out before the start of the Test series against India and will not feature in the men’s T20 World Cup as well as the 2021/22 Ashes to focus on his mental well-being and healing his left index finger. Stokes had suffered a fracture to his left index finger while fielding for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021 in April. After leaving the tournament, Stoked needed surgery.

In July, Stokes led a fresh ODI team to a 3-0 series win over Pakistan when the first choice team was unavailable due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stokes had a second surgery in October to remove scar tissue and two screws from the left index finger. Stokes taking baby steps into batting again will fuel speculation on whether Stokes can still be a part of the Ashes in Australia later in the year.