Ben Stokes will go into England’s seismic 2025 with no plans to temper his all-action approach to bowling. “I ain’t holding back,” insisted the captain, despite ending the tour of New Zealand nursing a second hamstring injury in the space of five months.

England’s 2-1 series win in New Zealand was their first since 2008 and, while a heavy 423-run defeat in the third Test offset things slightly, the sight of Stokes pulling up lame on the third day was more troubling. The 33-year-old, who decided against batting on the fourth day, was due to undergo scans on Wednesday.

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