Ben Stokes opts out of T20 World Cup to focus on fitness for all formats of cricket

Ben Stokes, the dynamic all-rounder for England, has made the tough decision to rule himself out of this summer’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in order to focus on his fitness and be ready to play a full all-rounder role in all formats of cricket. Stokes, who played a crucial role in England’s World Cup victory back in 2022, is determined to get back to his best and be fully fit to contribute with both bat and ball.

Stokes expressed his commitment to building his bowling fitness back up after undergoing knee surgery and being out of action for nine months. He believes that by opting out of the IPL and the T20 World Cup, he can make the necessary sacrifices to ensure he can perform at his best in the future. Stokes will be focusing on playing for Durham in the County Championship before the start of England’s Test summer.

England’s fast bowler Sam Curran acknowledged that Stokes’ absence will be a big loss for the team’s title defense in the T20 World Cup. Curran, who played alongside Stokes in the victorious 2022 campaign, praised Stokes as an incredible player and expressed confidence in England’s strong squad.

The T20 World Cup, which has been expanded to include 20 teams, will kick off on June 4 with England facing Scotland in their opening match. With the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super 8 stage, the competition promises to be intense and exciting.

Fans can catch all the action from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports this June. With Stokes focusing on his recovery and England gearing up for a tough title defense, cricket enthusiasts can expect a thrilling tournament filled with top-class performances and unforgettable moments.