My commitment outside of any international cricket will be based around our schedule: Ben Stokes

Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes is currently leading the England Test team in the ongoing home series against South Africa and is also available for selection in T20Is after having announced his shocking retirement from ODIs last month citing a hectic international schedule and his inability to give his 100% in the 50-overs format.

Even though Stokes now plays one format less, he has made it clear that he would only be playing the IPL in the future after looking at the schedule. At the same time, the southpaw has also mentioned that he would be giving prime weightage to Test cricket over foreign franchise cricket leagues across the globe.

As England cricketers, our schedule is jam-packed: Ben Stokes

“As England cricketers, our schedule is jam-packed and we seem to be playing all year around. I think our summer is everybody’s winter and when our winter comes along, it is everybody’s summer. So, people are either coming here to play or we are touring to play cricket. It is a case of looking at schedules, looking ahead at what we have got coming up. But as I have made it very clear, that Test cricket is at the forefront of my mind and all of my time decisions will be based around Test matches. Now being the captain, I have the responsibility to do that,” said Stokes during a select media call organized by Prime Video.

“So yeah, my commitment outside of any international cricket will be based around our schedule and what international cricket we have got coming up but you know, I have played in the IPL for four years. I have loved it every time I have been there. It is an amazing competition to be part of, not just for the spectacle of the IPL but the opportunity to work along with the best players in the world, and some of the best coaches. It is just an amazing experience to be involved in but as I said, there is a schedule to be looked at around the window of the IPL,” he added.

The 2019 World Cup winner has prioritized leading England in the home Test series against the Proteas instead of making himself available for the ongoing The Hundred men’s 2022 tournament. Ben Stokes was last seen in action in the IPL during the first half of the 2021 season where he had represented the inaugural edition’s winners Rajasthan Royals.

His tournament was cut short after suffering an injury while fielding. Stokes did not join the RR squad for the second half in the UAE and backed out from giving his name in the IPL 2022 mega auction to give more focus on international commitments.