CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Ben Stokes, the captain of the England Test team, has stated that he chose not to participate in the bidding for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in order to focus on international cricket as he approaches the latter stages of his career.
Stokes decided to forgo the high-stakes IPL this year to manage his workload, particularly due to ongoing knee issues, and he was noticeably absent from the auction for the 2025 season.
As one of the most prominent figures in the sport, Stokes could have potentially fetched a significant sum, having previously secured a $2 million contract with the Chennai Super Kings for the last season. However, his current focus lies elsewhere.
“I obviously want to play as long as I possibly can,” Stokes remarked in an interview with the BBC just prior to England’s test series opener against New Zealand. “Taking care of my body is crucial to achieving that—it’s essential to prioritize the games I participate in.”
He added, “It’s about reflecting on my future and making decisions that will enable me to extend my career for as long as possible. I want to continue wearing the England jersey for as long as I can.”
In the upcoming match, England is poised to issue its seventh test debut of the year, welcoming Jacob Bethell into the lineup at No. 3—a position he has not played in first-class cricket before. This change comes after wicketkeeper Jordan Cox suffered a broken thumb during practice in Queenstown, sidelining him from the match.
Cox was set to make his test debut but was stepping in for Jamie Smith, who is currently on paternity leave.
“It’s heartbreaking to see someone face an injury, especially when they’re about to make their test debut,” Stokes said regarding Cox’s situation.
“While I’m extremely disappointed—as are the rest of the team—we recognize that Jordan feels the worst of all. We support him and check on his well-being, but words can scarcely cushion the blow of such a setback.”
New Zealand arrives for the test match after achieving a remarkable 3-0 series victory in India, while England is coming off a recent 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan.