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Stokes gave up alcohol for latest injury recovery

Ben Stokes leaves the field after hurting his hamstring against New Zealand Getty Images

Ben Stokes suffered his hamstring injury during the third Test against New Zealand in December

Ffion Wynne
BBC Sport Journalist

England Test captain Ben Stokes says he gave up drinking alcohol at the start of the year in the hope the abstinence would help with his recovery from injury.

Stokes, 33, had surgery on his left hamstring in December after suffering a tear during the third Test against New Zealand.

He was initially ruled out for at least three months but has not yet featured for Durham in the County Championship.

England's international summer begins with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge from 22 May.

All-rounder Stokes sustained a similar injury during The Hundred last summer, but he said that he has changed his approach to rehabilitation this time, which included reflection on his relationship with alcohol.

"After my first major injury, I the shock of it and after the initial adrenaline had stopped I was thinking, 'How has this happened"Graphic image of, from left to right, Alex Albon, George Russell, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso and Oliver Bearman. It is on a blue background with 'Fan Q&A' below the drivers " loading="lazy" src="https://image.staticox.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Face%2Fstandard%2F480%2Fsprodpb%2F7ff9%2Flive%2Fd42302e0-34b3-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg" width="385" height="216" class="ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950"/>

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