England’s test captain Ben Stokes has opted out of England’s T20 World Cup title defense, a decision announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday.
Stokes, aged 32, cited his desire to focus on his role as a fully-fledged all-rounder in Test cricket as the reason for skipping the tournament held in the United States and the West Indies.
In an ECB statement, Stokes expressed his hope that abstaining from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup would enable him to fulfill his ambitions as an all-rounder in Test cricket.
Stokes’s decision is a surprise, considering his previous remarks indicating his availability for the T20 World Cup. However, he clarified that his withdrawal was not due to any setbacks following his brief return to bowling during England’s Test tour of India.
Despite undergoing knee surgery in November and a subsequent hiatus from bowling, Stokes revealed no lingering discomfort in his left knee.
However, Stokes aims to prioritize his Test captaincy role, focusing on regaining his bowling fitness ahead of a demanding schedule featuring six Tests against the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the upcoming home season.
With the first Test against the West Indies scheduled just days after the T20 World Cup final, Stokes’s decision underscores his commitment to his Test responsibilities.
The ECB’s announcement dealt a blow to England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler and coach Matthew Mott, who will miss Stokes’s presence in the T20 World Cup squad.
Stokes, a pivotal figure in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup victory in Australia, played a crucial role in guiding England to success with notable performances throughout the tournament.
Despite his absence, Stokes remains a vital asset to England’s cricketing endeavors, and his decision reflects his dedication to maintaining peak performance across all formats.
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