File image by Ben Stokes© AFP
England star Ben Stokes on Tuesday withdrew from the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying the “sacrifice” will help him focus on regaining his fitness to bowl at full throttle and be the “all-rounder” I expect in the near future want to be”. The country’s Test captain has informed the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of his decision, two months ahead of the showpiece event to be held in the US and West Indies. “I am working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness to take on a full role as an all-rounder in all forms of cricket.
“Opting out of the IPL 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,” Stokes said in an ECB statement.
Stokes, 32, was in charge of the team that suffered a 1-4 Test series defeat to India earlier this year and said the tour made him realize he is not quite ready when it comes to bowling.
“The recent Test tour of India showed how far behind I was in terms of bowling after my knee surgery and nine months without bowling.
“I look forward to playing for Durham in the County Championship before the start of our Test summer. I wish Jos (Buttler), Motty (Matthew Mott) and the whole team the best of luck as we defend our title.” England will defend the title in the Caribbean after triumphing in the last edition of the tournament in Australia in 2022, with Stokes hitting the winning run in the final for a five-wicket victory over Pakistan at the MCG.
However, he has played just two T20 matches since then, both in last year’s IPL.
After previously retiring from ODI cricket in 2022, Stokes reversed his decision to play in India’s 50-over World Cup last year before undergoing knee surgery that left him unable to bowl in the Test series against India.
During the five matches in India, he could only bowl five overs.
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