England captain Ben Stokes withdrew from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in June after his return to full test fitness in the wake of Knee Surgery.
Ben Stokes Withdraws from T20 World Cup
England Skipper Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup and informed the England Cricket Board not to consider the squad selection for the upcoming tournament.
Stokes was the hero of the side during the T20 World Cup finals in 2022 hitting his maiden T20I half-century as England beat Pakistan by five wickets in Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Since then, he has played only two T20 matches missing IPL seasons for the last two years. He said that the World Cup was “a sacrifice that allows me to be the allrounder I want to be for the foreseeable future.”
Ben Stokes retired from ODI cricket in the year 2022 but reversed his decision to play in the ODI World Cup 2023. He was able to bowl only five overs during the recently concluded England’s tour of India 2024.
“I’m working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfill a full role as an allrounder in all formats of cricket,” said Stokes in a statement.
“Opting out of the IPL and the World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that allows me to be the allrounder 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.”
“[Stokes] gives us that ability to have a seam bowler in your top six that gives you so many options with your team balance.”
Stokes has played only three T20Is for England outside of World Cups in the last three years and his decision could be the end of the T20I career. But he might be returning for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026 when he will be only 34 years old.
They will be playing their first match of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 against Scotland on June 04 at Kensington Oval Barbados.
