England captain Ben Stokes gives positive surgery update following freak net accident

England captain Ben Stokes is on the road to recovery after undergoing a successful surgery for a serious facial fracture.

Stokes revealed he had been struck in the face by a ball while coaching young players at the Durham academy, leaving him with a swollen right eye and bruising.

The 34-year-old found humor in the accident when sharing his injury on Instagram, writing "you should see the state of the cricket ball" with laughing face emojis.

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Seemingly in good spirits despite the blow, Stokes also flashed a shaka for the camera.

According to ESPN, Stokes was a bystander during the incident, struck in the face while standing at the edge of a net session rather than participating in play.

Updating fans on his injury on Wednesday (AEDT), Stokes shared an image of him laying in a hospital bed with a swollen face.

"May not look like it but the surgery was a success," he wrote.

It remains unclear exactly when the England star will return to the sport, although he is scheduled to travel with the England Lions' coaching staff next month.

Stokes will have an informal coaching position when the Lions compete in a development series against Pakistan Shaheens in the United Arab Emirates.

As for the first team, England's next test is not until June against New Zealand. The Test opener against New Zealand falls on Stokes' 35th birthday.

Stokes may target a return with Durham in the early rounds of the County Championship before leading England out at Lord's on June 4 for the start of the home Test season.

He may now opt out of next month's auction for The Hundred, leaving him free to focus entirely on the Test team.