Stokes vows to return stronger than ever before

INJURY WON'T HOLD SKIPPER BACK

-  Rory Dollard

BEN STOKES promises there will be no "holding back" when he recovers from his latest injury, insisting he is ready to keep digging deep for England.

Čaptain Stokes had to watch the final stages of the 423-run rout by New Zealand from the sidelines, as his team suffered their fourth heaviest defeat by runs in history.

He pulled up with hamstring trouble the day before and did not appear again.

Stokes handed the reins to Ollie Pope in the field and decided not to bat in a lost cause as England, chasing 658, were finished off for 234.

The tourists won the series 2-1, their first success on these shores since 2008, and the last order of business before they depart is a scan for Stokes.