By Ben Stokes has withdrawn from the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA to prioritize his fitness. Stokes, who played a crucial role in England’s title win in the previous edition in Australia, scoring an unbeaten fifty in the final, intends to regain full fitness to resume bowling. He has asked the ECB not to consider him for selection.
Last year, Stokes struggled with a knee injury, which led to him not bowling in the final three Ashes Tests against Australia at home. Despite retiring from ODIs, he made himself available for the World Cup in India but only featured as a batsman. After the tournament, he underwent surgery and aimed to return for the Test series in India.
Although he started bowling slowly in the nets during the India series, Stokes only bowled in the final Test match in Dharamsala. He now plans to use the County Championship to return as an all-rounder, aiming to bowl during England’s home summer against West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Stokes Opts Out of T20 World Cup
“I’m working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket,” Stokes said. “Opting out of the IPL and the World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that allows me to be the all-rounder I want to be for the foreseeable future.
“The recent Test tour of India highlighted how far behind I was from a bowling point of view after my knee surgery and nine months without bowling. I’m looking forward to playing for Durham in the County Championship before the start of our Test summer. I wish Jos [Buttler], Motty [Matthew Mott], and all the team the best of luck in defending our title.”
England will begin their title defense on June 4 in Barbados against Scotland. They are in a group with Australia, Oman, and Namibia.
