🏏 Stokes Adductor Injury Shocks England in Final Ashes Test

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Key Takeaways

1📊 Australia all out 567, England trail by 103 at lunch
2🏆 Stokes exits mid-over after 28 overs bowled
3💡 Injuries cripple England: Atkinson, Archer, Wood out
4🔮 Draw possible with 5 sessions left at SCG

"England captain Ben Stokes leaves with the field with a right adductor injury on day four of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney"

Ben Stokes limped off the SCG on day four of the fifth Ashes Test, clutching his right groin after just 10 deliveries, handing captaincy to Harry Brook in another brutal blow for the England tourists.

The all-rounder skipper pulled up sharply in his follow-through during Australia's dominant first innings, which ended at 567 all out for a 183-run lead. Steve Smith's 138 and Beau Webster's unbeaten 71 piled the pressure before Stokes' exit mid-over, with Jacob Bethell finishing it off. England now trail by 103 at lunch in their second dig, with Zak Crawley lbw to Mitchell Starc for 1 and Ben Duckett (40) plus Bethell (28) fighting back.

Stokes' Workload Catastrophe

Down 3-1 after losses in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, plus a thrilling MCG heist, England's tour has been ravaged by injuries—Gus Atkinson (hamstring), Jofra Archer (side), Mark Wood (knee). Stokes over-bowled himself into his 28th over amid dropped catches and ideas in short supply. No word yet on his batting return, but with five sessions left and variable bounce, a draw feels like England's best shot against Australia's 4-1 whitewash push.