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Ben Stokes (File Photo: Internet)
In what seems to be a big blow for the England Cricket Team, veteran all-rounder Ben Stokes has pulled out his name from the selection of the national team’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, he played a crucial role in England’s title victory in the last edition of the T20 World Cup in 2022.
Notably, Stokes was one of the vital cogs in the wheel of England's winning campaign in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. He scored 110 runs in 5 innings of the 6 matches he played for England in the tournament with an average of 36.66, including a match-winning half-century in the final of the tournament against Pakistan, where England was looking in a bit of trouble.
“The England Test captain’s primary focus 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,” ECB's statement read.
“I’m working hard and focusing on building by bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket,” Stokes was quoted as saying in an official press release of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
“Opting out of the IPL and World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that allows me to be the all-rounder I want to be for the foreseeable future,” he added later.
I am looking forward to playing for Durham - Ben Stokes
Furthermore, Ben Stokes also spoke from the point of view of his bowling concerning the recently concluded five-match Test series against India last month.
“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 Championships before the start of our Test Summer,” he said.
“I wish Jos, Motty and all the team the best of luck in defending our title,” the star all-rounder concluded.