Ben Stokes is expected to play two matches for Durham before England's first Test of the summer and could also feature for England Lions. England captain Ben Stokes said he is "lucky" and "might not be here" had things been slightly different when he was hit in the face by a cricket ball in February. The all-rounder was struck while working in the nets with academy players at his county Durham. He required what he described as "pretty major facial surgery" on a broken cheekbone, which has ruled him out of action until May.

"It was a pretty scary situation," Stokes told the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) website. "I copped one straight in the face. Just a couple of inches one way or the other, I might not be here doing this interview if I didn't turn my head round. It was a bit of a mess under here [the cheekbone]. I've got out quite lucky. Thankfully still here and everything's all right."

England's first Test of the summer against New Zealand starts on 4 June. Stokes has not played competitively since the end of England's 4-1 Ashes defeat in January. He said he is set to return for Durham in the County Championship at Worcestershire on 8 May.

In a section of the ECB interview released on Tuesday, Stokes dismissed talk of a rift with coach Brendon McCullum but said they must work in a "slightly different way". In the full interview, Stokes said he does not want every player to play in the same style; a lot of the criticism of England during the Ashes was warranted; and his own reaction to the series defeat proved to himself he is committed to England.

Stokes and McCullum were appointed at the start of the 2022 and initially oversaw a sharp upturn in results while implementing a more relaxed environment and aggressive playing style. But, having targeted last winter's Ashes throughout the previous years, the regime came under intense scrutiny in Australia during a tour blighted by poor on-field performances, off-field issues and inadequate preparation.

Stokes said the focus in 2022 was about "bringing enjoyment back", but "now it is about everything we do is to win, being relentless in what we do in our training and behaviour". Much of the criticism around the playing style has been that Stokes' side were too one-dimensional, particularly with the bat. They repeatedly lost wickets playing attacking shots, most notably on day two of the first Test in Perth when they squandered a good position.

"So much has been said about style and manner - are we going to change or do this?" he said. "I don't want people to think we all need to be playing this one mode. Whoever it may be, go out and play how you play. The version of yourself that got you into the position to [represent] England in the first place should be the version you carry on doing. That is a pretty clear message - you do you."

Some of the Ashes criticism centered around the squad's relationship with alcohol after their mid-series trip to Noosa. It also emerged after the Ashes that white-ball captain Harry Brook had an altercation with a nightclub bouncer during a trip to New Zealand last year. Stokes said some criticism was "harsh and unneeded", but "a lot of it was warranted".

"A lot of it was almost put forward in a way that was a bit extreme, but when you look at it deep deep deep you agree with some of it," he said. "We have got ourselves to blame for a lot of it. If you can't take that and aren't willing to understand that and listen to a little bit of it, then we wouldn't see any progression."

Stokes, McCullum and managing director Rob Key kept their jobs following an ECB review into the Ashes. Stokes, who turns 35 on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand on 4 June, said he did not consider standing down or retiring.

"I actually went the other way," he said. "It completely and utterly consumed me. I feel like I would be able to switch off for half an hour and then would get my iPad out and start making notes. If I got back and shut myself away, didn't pay any interest and say 'we will see what happens - I will let other people make decisions', I think that is me subconsciously saying I don't want this. How I was proved I am proper in this still."

Stokes on working with McCullum Some of the Ashes criticism centered around the squad's relationship with alcohol after their mid-series trip to Noosa. It also emerged after the Ashes that white-ball captain Harry Brook had an altercation with a nightclub bouncer during a trip to New Zealand last year. Stokes said some criticism was "harsh and unneeded", but "a lot of it was warranted".

"A lot of it was almost put forward in a way that was a bit extreme, but when you look at it deep deep deep you agree with some of it," he said. "We have got ourselves to blame for a lot of it. If you can't take that and aren't willing to understand that and listen to a little bit of it, then we wouldn't see any progression."

Stokes, McCullum and managing director Rob Key kept their jobs following an ECB review into the Ashes. Stokes, who turns 35 on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand on 4 June, said he did not consider standing down or retiring.

"I actually went the other way," he said. "It completely and utterly consumed me. I feel like I would be able to switch off for half an hour and then would get my iPad out and start making notes. If I got back and shut myself away, didn't pay any interest and say 'we will see what happens - I will let other people make decisions', I think that is me subconsciously saying I don't want this. How I was proved I am proper in this still."