Cricket world left wincing as Ben Stokes cops brutal shot to the groin
Fans were left wincing after the England star was whacked with a cricket ball during play in the fourth Test.
Joe Root hit a magnificent 150 on day three of the Fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford.
Root's 38th Test century bumped him up to second on the all-time leading run-scorers list in Test cricket behind Sachin Tendulkar.
But it was Stokes, 34, who nearly stole the headlines after the ball slammed right into his groin.
Stokes was batting when a ferocious shot rocketed between his bat and, well, found its mark.
Cameras zoomed on Stokes writhing in pain, leading to a wave of sympathetic groans from viewers at home.
The commentator said: 'Oh! Movement, pain. He's been hit in the midships again.'
While Prakash Wakankar on comms joked about what the physio could do about it.
The commentator then added: 'Sorry if you heard any expletives there, but perhaps you can understand why.'
Fans took to social media to joke about the incident, with one writing: 'X marks the spot'.
While another said: 'Should have protection there.'
A third added: 'That's got to hurt.'
Stokes, ever the warrior, eventually picked himself up, though with a noticeable limp.
He briefly went off injured but returned to remain not out as England went 544-7 after the first Innings.
England lead India by 186 runs with three wickets remaining.
Meanwhile, Root pushed past Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting with his 150.
It's now only Tendulkar keeping him off the summit.
The Yorkshireman, 34, has a way to go to eclipse The Little Master's tally of 15,921.
He needs a further 2,513 runs to become No 1 - but at the relatively young age of 34, Tendulkar's record seems achievable.
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