Ashes 2025-26: Ben Stokes suffers adductor muscle injury on day four of fifth Test in Sydney

It is another blow for England in a very disappointing series, which they surrendered with losses in the opening three Tests.

After Australia dominated most of the third day of the fifth Test in Sydney, Stokes’ side face a huge battle to avoid a 4-1 defeat.

The serious injury would be a devastating end to the tour for Stokes, who admitted the series had taken a huge personal toll.

Ahead of the first Test in Perth, the 34-year-old spoke of his desire to become one of England’s “lucky few” captains to win the Ashes series down under.

By the time his team arrived in Sydney at the end of a tour marred by poor performances, out-of-form players, injuries and controversy over England’s trip to Noosa, Stokes admitted “the trip was tough”.

Stokes has suffered from knee, hamstring and shoulder injuries over the past three years. Prior to the Ashes, the Durham man had not been able to play a full role in any of the previous four Test series in England.

In Sydney, it was his 28th over in Australia’s first innings. The 101.1 overs he has bowled in the tour are the second most he has bowled in a single series since 2018.

England have already lost three more fast bowlers to injuries in a series in which they plan to have pace as one of their main weapons.

Mark Wood played in the first Test, then was ruled out with a knee injury, while Jofra Archer suffered a side strain after playing in the first three Tests.

Gus Atkinson suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth Test in Melbourne and was ruled out of the finals in Sydney.

Although England lost the series in what was likely Stokes’ last chance to win the Ashes in Australia, he reiterated his desire to remain as captain.

Ahead of this series he signed a contract extension tying him to England until the end of the home Ashes in 2027.

With no international commitments or white-ball franchise, Stokes is not scheduled to play again until the summer on home soil. England’s next Test is against New Zealand in June.