The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), on April 2, 2024, confirmed that Test captain and ace all-rounder Ben Stokes has pulled out of contention for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
The T20 World Cup this year will be played in June in the West Indies and USA. England, the defending champions, will begin their defense on 4 June against Scotland at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Ben Stokes was the best batter in England’s T20 World Cup 2022 win in Australia where his 52* in the final against Pakistan in MCG led England to win the final by 5 wickets and lift their second T20 WC title.
However, Ben Stokes has told the ECB that he does not wish to be considered for selection in this year’s T20 World Cup 2024. He mentioned that his full is to get fully fit to bowl not only for the summer of Test cricket, which includes two three-match Test series against West Indies and Sri Lanka respectively but for all cricket in the future.
“I’m working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfill a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket. 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. I wish Jos, Motty, and all the team the best of luck in defending our title,” Stokes told ECB.
England will play group matches against Australia, Oman, and Namibia in Barbados and Antigua before qualification for the Super 8s and knockouts.
(ECB inputs)
