Stokes pulls out of T20 World Cup
England star says opting out will hopefully be a sacrifice that will allow him to be the allrounder he wants to be for the foreseeable future
England’s star player Ben Stokes on Tuesday pulled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying the “sacrifice” will help him focus on regaining his fitness to bowl full throttle and be the “allrounder I want to be for the foreseeable future”.
The country’s Test captain informed the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) about his decision, two months ahead of the showpiece that will be held in the USA and West Indies.
“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. 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,” Stokes said in a statement issued by the ECB.
Main focus:
full throttle.
Stokes says he wants to regain fitness to bowl
Stokes, 32, was incharge of the the team that suffered a 14 Test series loss to India earlier this year and said the tour made him realise that he is not quite up for it when it comes to bowling.
“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 be defending the title in the Caribbean having triumphed in the last edition in Australia in 2022, with Stokes hitting the winning run in the final for a fivewicket victory over Pakistan at the MCG.