Ben Stokes undergoes surgery after brutal hit on face; Check pics here

England Test captain Ben Stokes has said he has undergone successful surgery after being struck in the face by a cricket ball.

The 34-year-old all-rounder shared a picture on Instagram that showed his eye heavily swollen and bruised. There was also a graze on his cheek and lip, and a bandage stuffed in his nose following the blow.

Alongside the image, Stokes wrote: "You should see the state of the cricket ball," followed by a laughing face emoji.

On Tuesday, he posted again from hospital. The new photograph once more showed his swollen face. This time, the caption read: "May not look like it but the surgery was a success."

Stokes is back in England after a difficult Ashes tour that ended in a 4-1 series defeat to Australia. The series result has led to questions about the direction of the red-ball side.

Although Stokes has made it clear he wants to continue as captain of England’s Test team, his position is not fully secure. The England and Wales Cricket Board is carrying out a review following the tour.

Stokes is no longer part of England’s white-ball set-up and is not involved in the T20 World Cup taking place in India and Sri Lanka.

His next appearance on the field could come for Durham in the opening rounds of the County Championship. That would serve as preparation before England begin their home Test summer against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4, which will also mark Stokes’s 35th birthday.