Ben Stokes has opted out of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas – here is why.
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Stokes starred for England in the final of their title win at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. However, he will not play any part in the upcoming edition in June, the England Cricket Board (ECB) announced today (April 2).
In a statement released by the ECB, Stokes has confirmed that he “does not wish to be considered for selection ahead of this summer’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
A key part of England's successful side in 2022, Ben Stokes has made himself unavailable for selection for this summer's T20 World Cup.
He will instead focus on his return to bowling, including playing for Durham in the County Championship before the start of the Test summer. pic.twitter.com/W3Con6VM5h
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 2, 2024
Why has Stokes pulled out of the T20 World Cup?
Stokes underwent a knee operation after the 2023 World Cup which forced him to play primarily as a batter ever since last year’s Ashes. He eventually bowled in the fifth Test of the series against India in Dharamshala, and got a wicket with his first ball.
England’s next Test assignments are two home series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka right after the T20 World Cup.
The England Test captain said that his decision of skipping the IPL and the T20 World Cup is a sacrifice he is making in order to be able to fulfil his duties as an all-format all-rounder in the near future.
“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.”
Stokes wished the England white-ball team luck for their title-defence: “I wish Jos (Buttler), Motty (Matthew Mott, head coach) and all the team the best of luck in defending our title.”
