• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news, T20 World Cup 2024
• 04/02/2024
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England’s star all-rounder, Ben Stokes, has decided to exclude himself from contention for England’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Stokes’ primary objective is to fully recover his bowling fitness, aiming to contribute across all formats of cricket, especially Test matches.

Focus on Regaining All-Rounder Fitness

Stokes emphasised his commitment to building his bowling fitness to resume his role as a complete all-rounder in cricket. His decision involves opting out of both the IPL and the T20 World Cup to prioritise his physical conditioning and ensure a sustained presence in all game formats.

The recent Test series against India underscored Stokes’ challenges in regaining his bowling rhythm following knee surgery and a prolonged period without bowling. Acknowledging the gap in his bowling fitness, Stokes aims to address this through dedicated training and match practice with Durham in the County Championship.

Despite his withdrawal, Stokes expressed his support for the England team, wishing his teammates, including Jos Buttler and coach Matthew Mott, success in defending their T20 World Cup title. His decision reflects a long-term approach to his cricketing career, prioritising his fitness and performance across formats.

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England’s T20 World Cup Journey

England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign kicks off on June 4 against Scotland at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. The team faces a challenging group stage against Australia, Oman, and Namibia, aiming to advance to the Super 8s and progress through the knockout stages.

With the T20 World Cup expanded to include 20 teams, England is in Group B alongside Scotland, and Ireland is competing in Group A. The tournament features an extended format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super 8s and eventually to the knockout rounds.

Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the action from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will run for four weeks, exclusively on Sky Sports. The tournament promises thrilling encounters as teams vie for cricketing glory in the West Indies and the USA, showcasing the best of T20 cricket on the global stage.