England all-rounder Ben Stokes has opted out of this year’s Twenty20 World Cup to focus on regaining health ahead of the summer’s test matches, according to a statement issued by the country’s cricket authority (ECB) on Tuesday.
England is the defending T20 World Cup champions, having won their second title in 2022 in Australia. The ECB noted that Stokes’ primary goal “is to get fully fit to bowl” for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Stokes, England’s Test captain, last played a Twenty20 international for England in the World Cup final in November 2022. “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 stated in an e-mail.
“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,” he said.
In November, Stokes underwent surgery for a knee issue which hampered his ability to bowl regularly. The 32-year-old bowled just five overs during England’s 4-1 Test series defeat to India last month. “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,” Stokes said. “I’m looking forward to playing for Durham in the County Championship before the start of our Test summer,” he added.
England will play a four-match T20 series against Pakistan in preparation for the World Cup, which will take place in the West Indies and the United States in June.They will then face Scotland, Australia, Oman, and Namibia in group matches before moving on to the Super 8s and knockout phases.
