Ben Stokes PULLS OUT of England’s T20 World Cup defence to focus on getting fully fit to play Test summer as an all-rounder

Ben Stokes has opted not to defend the Twenty20 World Cup title he memorably helped England clinch in Australia 18 months ago.

Stokes, 32, scored an unbeaten half-century to seal victory over Pakistan in the final at the MCG, but withdrew his availability for June’s event in the Caribbean and the United States, to prioritize getting fit to play as an all-rounder before of Test series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka later in the summer.

He recently returned to bowling following knee surgery, taking a memorable wicket with his first delivery since last year’s Ashes, and is keen to get back to being a frontline member rather than a supporting member of England’s attack.

Mail Sport understands Test captain Stokes informed England manager Rob Key of his decision not to take part in the World Cup at a recent meeting between the pair in the north-east.

“I am working hard and concentrating on regaining my bowling fitness to fulfill a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket,” Stokes said.

“Opting out of the Indian Premier League and World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that will allow 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 trial summer.

“I wish Jos (Buttler), Motty (Matthew Mott) and the entire team the best of luck in defending our title.”

England, who won the first of their two Twenty20 World Cup titles when the West Indies last hosted it in 2010, begin their campaign with a match against Scotland in Barbados on June 4 and will also face group matches with Australia, Oman and Namibia in their bet. to qualify for the Super Eight stage.