England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes made a shocking revelation ahead of the Ashes. Stokes revealed how one tablet taken wrongly resulted in him choke to an extent that he feared for his life.
Returning to the England squad after a break from all forms of cricket due to mental health issues and recovering from a fractured index finger, Stokes revealed the frightening experience.
"It was actually down to a simple tablet that went down the wrong way and got stuck in my windpipe causing me to choke horribly before the glands in my face went into overdrive to flush it out," Stokes wrote in his column for The Daily Mirror.
"Until it actually came out, I thought this might be the end. We've all had those moments when something gets stuck in the throat, and usually someone can help you out.
"But I was on my own in my room and I couldn't breathe as it became lodged and started to dissolve... it was a genuinely frightening experience.
"The team doctor came to see me straight away and she explained what had happened with the body reacting the way it did. I'm glad it did, even though I was a mess."
Before the Gabba Test, Stokes’ return to competitive cricket got delayed as the warm-up game was abandoned due to rain.
Ashley Giles, managing director of England men's cricket, has backed the all-rounder to help the side regain the Ashes.
"I'm hopeful and I'd always like to be confident, but we've got to treat Ben carefully, as we would anyone else who's been in that position, of not having a lot of cricket under their belts. But he'll be a difficult man to hold back if he's ready to go," Giles said.
Stokes’ performances were crucial in the iconic Ashes 2019 including his unbeaten century in the Headingley heist.
