BEN STOKES will NOT play in the T20 World Cup later this year in order to focus on his fitness.

England‘s Test captain, 32, underwent knee surgery over the winter and only bowled five overs across the five-match series in India.

But he is now keen to return to being the “all-rounder I want to be” in all formats of the game – which means missing the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States in June.

He said: “Opting out of the IPL and the World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that allows me to be the all-rounder I want to be for the foreseeable future.

“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.”

England are the defending T20 world champions having beaten Pakistan in the 2022 final in Australia.

Stokes hit 52 not out in the final to guide his country to a second T20 crown.

He has scored 585 runs and taken 26 wickets in 43 T20 international since making his England debut in 2011.

But he will instead build his 2024 around being in top shape for England’s Test series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka in July, August and September.

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Stokes will also target the one-day series against Australia in the autumn.

He is continuing to recover from injuries to his left knee that have plagued him for a long period.

Stokes did not bowl at all in the final three Ashes Tests against Australia last summer.

He also came out of one-day retirement to play as a specialist batsman at the 50-over World Cup in October and November – where defending champions England finished a disappointing seventh.

Stokes had knee surgery following the World Cup but recovered in time to captain England against India – a series they lost 4-1.

His only bowling contribution across the five matches came in the last Test where he posted figures of 1-17.