Stokes injures himself, adds to England’s miseries

LONDON: England all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss the forthcoming World Twenty20 tournament after breaking his hand while punching a locker during Thursday´s five-run win over West Indies.

Stokes suffered the embarrassing injury immediately after he was dismissed during the third Twenty20 international and his setback adds to England´s injury woes ahead of the Twenty20 event.

Stokes, 22, admitted the injury was a major disappointment on the eve of his country´s departure from Barbados to Bangladesh. "I am really disappointed to be missing out on going to a World T20 with England - it was a huge error in judgement following a frustrating tour for me and I deeply regret my behaviour," he said in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement on Friday. "I would like to wish the team all the very best in Bangladesh."

Stokes´ misdemeanour is not the first of his otherwise highly-promising career. It is just 13 months since he was sent home, along with fellow all-rounder Matt Coles, from an England Lions tour of Australia after England and Wales Cricket Board management staff lost patience with the pair´s persistent late-night drinking.

Shortly before his Test debut in Adelaide last December, Stokes voiced his gratitude to England´s then team director Andy Flower for giving him a "second chance" at an international career.

He repaid the faith with his all-round performances, one of the very few bright spots for England as they endured a miserable Ashes campaign.

Joe Root, one of England´s most gifted young batsmen, has already been ruled out of the tournament, which begins in Bangladesh on Sunday, after breaking a thumb earlier in the tour of the Caribbean.

England captain Stuart Broad is also a doubt with a knee problem, while Eoin Morgan has also been hampered by a similar injury. (AFP)