Stokes withdraws from the T20 World Cup 2024

Ben Stokes has pulled out of the forthcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA so that he can focus his fitness. Stokes, who scored an unbeaten fifty in the final of the previous edition in Australia to power England to title victory, has disclosed that he plans to regain complete fitness in order to take bowling responsibilities again, and requested the ECB not to consider him for selection.

Last year Stokes struggled with a knee injury and did not bowl in the final three Ashes Tests against the Kangaroos at home. Despite hanging his boots from One Day Cricket previously, the 32 year old came out of retirement to feature in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Although, he played the tournament as a pure batter. Eventually, England’s 2019 hero underwent surgery post the conclusion of the tournament and was preparing for the Test series against India. 

While England’s red ball skipper did bowl in the nets but only opted to bowl in the final test match at Dharamsala. Stokes has now his eyes set on the County Championship so as he can return to the squad as an all rounder. England have home summer series lined up against West Indies and Sri Lanka.    

"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 Ind T20 League 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. I wish Jos [Buttler], Motty [Matthew Mott] and all the team the best of luck in defending our title."

England will begin their title defence against Scotland on June 4 in Barbados.