England captain Ben Stokes suffered a setback on Monday, aggravating a hamstring injury while bowling during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton. Stokes, who previously tore the same hamstring in August, left the field during the afternoon session after clutching his left leg mid-delivery. He was scheduled for a scan later that evening or the following morning to assess the severity of the injury.

The 33-year-old all-rounder is now doubtful to bat in the fourth inning as England faces an uphill battle, chasing a daunting target of 658. They ended day three at 18-2.

Batting coach Marcus Trescothick described Stokes’s injury as a tough pill to swallow. “It’s the same hamstring as before,” Trescothick confirmed. Stokes had bowled 23 overs in New Zealand’s first innings—the most he’s bowled in a single day across his 110-Test career—and was midway through his 13th over in the second innings when the injury resurfaced.

“He’s been going so well, playing his role as an all-rounder and captain,” Trescothick said. “He’s shown signs of getting back to fitness throughout this series.”

Stokes has struggled with injuries in recent months. He missed England’s home Test series against Sri Lanka and returned only for the second Test in Pakistan after tearing his hamstring. Despite fitness concerns, he has bowled 66.3 overs in this series—the most he has bowled in any series as captain.

Trescothick admitted that the injury was unexpected, saying, “We didn’t see it coming. These things just happen. He’s realistic about it, but it’s always tough when you realize you’re injured again.”

Stokes also dealt with a back problem during the first Test in Christchurch but had been deemed fit for the remainder of the series. Despite his relentless efforts to maintain fitness, his latest injury raises concerns about how he can be managed moving forward.