Ben Stokes undergoes second operation on finger as England star's return to cricket remains unclear

Stokes, who posted an picture to Instagram this week showing the heavily bandaged digit, had two screws and scar tissue removed

Ben Stokes has had surgery on a damaged finger for the second time.

The England allrounder underwent an operation on the index finger on his left hand on Monday (October 4), nearly six months after he initially suffered the injury while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

Stokes, who posted an picture to Instagram this week showing the heavily bandaged digit, had two screws and scar tissue removed.

He will miss the T20 World Cup - which is due to begin in Oman in 10 days' time - and is not expected to be named in England's extended travelling party for the Ashes this winter as he takes an indefinite break from the game.

An ECB statement on Thursday read: "He will now undergo an intensive period of rehabilitation for the next four weeks under the supervision of the ECB's medical team."

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