Stokes hasn't played a T20I for England since November 2022 while he has been restricted to just two appearances for Northern Superchargers, both of which came in the competition's first edition
England Test captain Ben Stokes has confirmed he is "available" for June's T20 World Cup if Matthew Mott comes calling.
Stokes was ever-present when England won the 2022 T20 World Cup but scored just 110 runs. However, he saved his best performance for the final against Pakistan, scoring an unbeaten half-century (52 runs off 49 balls) to anchor England to a five-wicket victory.
Since November 2022, the 32-year-old hasn't added to his 43 T20I caps and has only made two T20 appearances in all competitions, featuring twice for Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 Indian Premier League.
"I've not even thought about that but I'm available [for the T20 World Cup]," Stokes said, speaking ahead of England's fifth Test against India.
Stokes was a member of England's 2022 T20 World Cup-winning squad [Mark Kolbe/Getty Images]
"Whether or not I'm in the plans for that is a different thing. But I still want to be a part of that team going forward."
While he had a modest return at the 2022 tournament and has only scored 585 runs, including one half-century, in 36 T20I innings, his career record in the format – over 3,000 runs at a strike rate above 130, including 12 50-plus knocks – makes for much better reading. He has also taken 93 wickets with an economy of 8.44, 26 of which have come on the international stage.
And England's white-ball head coach, Matthew Mott, has previously stated that while the 15-strong group selected to face West Indies last December was "pretty close" to the squad he will pick for June’s title defence, Stokes remains very much in the running.
"Aside from his incredible match-winning ability in every department, [Ben] gives us that ability to have a seam bowler in your top six. That gives you so many options with your team balance. It makes selection a hell of a lot easier, so that's a given," Mott said.
Stokes hopes to be available for four or five matches during The Hundred [Stu Forster/Getty Images]
According to BBC Sport, Stokes also addressed his involvement in The Hundred, confirming his intention to be available for four or five matches.
Stokes occupies the spot reserved for a centrally contracted England player in Northern Superchargers' squad but hasn't featured in the competition since 2021, when he made just two appearances.
The 2024 edition of The Hundred is scheduled to run from July 23 to August 18. England's three-match Test series against West Indies runs until July 30 while their series against Sri Lanka begins on August 21.
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