Ben Stokes' Absence from Early County Championship Rounds and Recovery Update

England Test captain Ben Stokes, 33, is not expected to feature for Durham in the early rounds of the County Championship as he recovers from hamstring surgery. His county coach Ryan Campbell says it'll be a bonus if he plays earlier than expected. Stokes tore his left hamstring for the second time in five months in December and hasn't played since having surgery in the new year. Durham have six County Championship matches before England's first assignment of the summer - a one-off Test against Zimbabwe - begins on 22 May. Stokes continued his recovery by training at Durham on Monday. Meanwhile, Brydon Carse, a key member of England's pace attack, is recovering from a toe injury.

Stokes is crucial to England's Test cricket hopes this year. After Zimbabwe, England play India over five Tests and travel to Australia for the Ashes in the winter. Stokes is also a candidate to replace Jos Buttler as England's white-ball captain.