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Ben Stokes Joins England Lions Coaching Amid Injury Recovery

1/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ben Stokes will join England Lions coaching staff for the UAE series while recovering from a groin injury.
The series includes three Twenty20 matches and five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the Pakistan Shaheens from February 20 to March 9 to develop players ahead of the 2027 ICC Men's World Cup according to Performance director Ed Barney.
The coaching group also includes Moeen Ali and Andrew Flintoff.

History

Historical Context

England's historic victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup marked their first title, following three previous final losses in 1975, 1983, and 1992. The final against New Zealand ended in a tie, leading to a Super Over, where England triumphed based on a superior boundary count. This win reflects the England and Wales Cricket Board's long-term investment in player development, including a £1.6 million annual budget for youth programs.

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Story summary

Ben Stokes will join England Lions coaching staff for the UAE series while recovering from a groin injury.
The series includes three Twenty20 matches and five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the Pakistan Shaheens from February 20 to March 9 to develop players ahead of the 2027 ICC Men's World Cup according to Performance director Ed Barney.
The coaching group also includes Moeen Ali and Andrew Flintoff.

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