England’s chances of defending their men’s T20 World Cup title in the Caribbean this summer have suffered a huge blow with Ben Stokes’ decision to withdraw from international duty as he focuses on maintaining his batting and performance during a busy Test summer. Bowling health.
After bowling in the final in India last month, Stokes looked set to be selected for the T20 World Cup as an all-rounder, something England’s white-ball coach Matthew Mott had hoped and planned. But as captain of the Test team, and with two three-Test series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka over the summer, Stokes decided his priorities lay elsewhere.
Stokes, who withdrew from the current Indian Premier League last November (partly with the T20 World Cup in mind), has now decided to further delay his return to white-ball cricket, although the statement announcing his decision specifically included an assurance that he remains committed to playing . Shorter format.
“I’m working hard and focusing on regaining my bowling fitness to get the best out of me as an all-rounder in all cricket,” he said. “Opting out of the IPL and World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that will allow me to be the all-rounder I want to be for the foreseeable future.”
Stokes has been battling a chronic injury to his left knee for the past two years, reportedly patellar tendonitis, which has severely limited his movement at times and completely diminished his ability to pitch. From the end of June 2013 to the end of June 2023, he played 211 of 228 completed international matches, establishing himself as perhaps the world’s premier all-rounder, but in the 17 international matches since then, he has Can pitch only once. He was a career batsman in the last four Tests of last summer’s Ashes, the first four against India and the 50-over World Cup in between.
“The recent Test tour of India highlighted how behind I was from a bowling perspective after not bowling for nine months following knee surgery,” Stokes said. “I’m looking forward to playing for the Durham County Championship before the summer testing starts. I wish Jos [Buttler, England’s white-ball captain], Moty and all the team wish us success in defending our title. “
Dr Andy Williams, a surgeon whose previous clients include Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Newcastle’s Callum Wilson and Chelsea’s John Terry, worked on Stokes’ knee last November. Had surgery. The 32-year-old was told he would not be able to bowl for 12 to 13 weeks after the surgery; within 10 minutes he was back in the nets with the ball. “My knee feels good,” he said in February. “I worked very hard to get to where I am now. It’s definitely ahead of schedule.”
There have been no new setbacks since, but Stokes has experienced enough to convince him to take his time on the road to recovery. His decision will spell major trouble for Mott’s World Cup plans: when England win the World Cup in Australia in 2022, Stokes averages 36.66 with the bat, including the winner in the final, and has scored in all Pitched in six games.
“Ben, as well as his incredible ability to win games in every aspect, the ability to have a seam bowler in the front six gives you a lot of options for the balance of your team,” the Australian said in 12 Yue said. “It makes the choice very easy. Every team in the world wants someone like this, but they are rare.”
