England star Stokes reveals frightening health scare

England allrounder Ben Stokes has revealed the frightening moment when he choked on a tablet which had become lodged in his throat.

Stokes took an indefinite break from all cricket in July to prioritise his mental wellbeing and rest a finger, which he had fractured.

But the 30-year-old has detailed in his newspaper column that it was neither of those issues which had caused him the biggest concern before the first Vodafone Ashes Test in Brisbane from December 8-12.

His article does not make clear exactly when the incident took place, but it appears to have been on the Gold Coast on the current Ashes tour.

"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 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."

Stokes also feared he had suffered a broken arm after being hit by a ball in the nets but was given the all clear by the team's physios.

Meanwhile, England managing director Ashley Giles said he was hopeful Stokes would be ready to face Australia at the Gabba next week.

The Durham allrounder's return to action was also further delayed after England's first Ashes warm-up match against England Lions was abandoned due to rain.

"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," Giles said.

"But he'll be a difficult man to hold back if he's ready to go."

Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19 restrictions and the weather, Giles said England's squad was the best-prepared for an Ashes series that he had been a part of.

England have been beaten 4-0 in 2017-18, and whitewashed 5-0 in 2013-14, on their two previous tours to Australia.

"We just need to make sure we're more ready than the Australians when we hit day one at the Gabba and we all know how important that first Test match is," Giles said.

Vodafone Men's Ashes v England

Tour Matches

Nov 30 – Dec 3: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Dec 1-3: Australian intra-squad match, Brisbane

Dec 9-12: Australia A v England Lions, Brisbane

Tests

First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium