Ben Stokes has ruled himself out of the T20 World Cup in June, telling England’s management that he does not want to be considered for the title defence in the Caribbean.
Stokes scored the winning run in the 2022 final, scoring his first T20I half-century as England defeated Pakistan by five wickets at the MCG. However, he has only played two T20 matches since, both in last year’s IPL, and has stated that missing the World Cup was “a sacrifice that allows me to be the allrounder I want to be for the foreseeable future”.
Stokes, who had originally retired from ODI cricket in the summer of 2022, changed his mind late last year and decided to play in the 50-over World Cup instead. However, his availability forced him to postpone knee surgery, and he was only able to bowl five overs during England’s recent 4-1 Test series defeat to India. After withdrawing from the IPL 2024, he expects to play for Durham in the County Championship in the next months.
“I’m working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an allrounder in all formats of cricket,” Stokes said in a statement released by the ECB on Tuesday. “Opting out of the IPL and the World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that allows me to be the allrounder 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.”
Stokes was hesitant to commit to the T20 World Cup before surgery, but he stated last month that he expected to be available for the event. Mott, England’s white-ball coach, indicated in December that Stokes’ comeback would be “a given” if healthy, saying: “[Stokes] gives us that ability to have a seam bowler in your top six, which gives you so many options with your team balance.”
In Stokes’ absence, England will consider using Liam Livingstone in the No. 4 spot, which he held during their 3-2 loss to the West Indies in December – though Livingstone limped off with an apparent muscle strain while fielding for Punjab Kings on Sunday and is awaiting scan results to determine the severity. Jamie Overton, the Surrey allrounder, will also be in contention.
Stokes has only played three T20Is for England outside of World Cups in the last three years, and his choice could mark the end of a 43-match T20I career in which he has rarely been at his best. However, he may still be eligible for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, at the age of 34.
