Ben Stokes pulls out of T20 World Cup to work on bowling in County Championship

04/02/2024

In a shocking development, England all-rounder Ben Stokes has withdrawn from the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA to regain a hundred percent fitness. This serves as a massive setback to the Jos Buttler-led side given Stokes had played a crucial role in their 2022 triumph.

Two months away from the T20 World Cup, the Durham star has asked the ECB not to consider him for the mega-event in June. This leaves a massive void in the England Cricket team as the all-rounder stitched a crucial fifty in the final of the T20 World Cup 2022 against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia. In the meantime, he will work on regaining his bowling and play in the County Championship during the English summer.

"I'm working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket," Stokes said to the ECB.

Stokes struggled with a bad knee last year during the Ashes and did not bowl in the last three games. He came out of retirement to participate in the ODI World Cup 2023 as a specialist batter but failed to make an impact as England had a horrendous outing. Right after, Stokes underwent surgery and led the side against India in the five-match Test series. Despite claiming he would keep operating as a specialist batter, the veteran took the ball in hand for a five-over spell during a dire situation in the last test in Dharamsala that included the wicket of Rohit Sharma off the very first delivery.

"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 , Motty [Matthew Mott], and all the team the best of luck in defending our title."

England will kickstart their campaign on June 4 against Scotland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.