England white-ball head coach Matthew Mott is keen to give the allrounder a "clear role" in the XI for the upcoming tournament in Australia
England will deploy Ben Stokes at No.4 during the men's T20 World Cup, according to white-ball head coach Matthew Mott.
It is a role the allrounder has never occupied in his 34 T20Is.
Captain Jos Buttler is keen for Stokes to be a permanent member of the top four having been up and down the order during his career.
"One of the things that's been said for a while is that he hasn't had a clear role," explained Mott.
"And Jos in particular is clear that he's a top-four player. Those conditions in Australia will suit the way he plays. You always have a bit of flexibility with the batting but he will be expected to be higher in the innings.
"I got a couple of texts [from Stokes] on Sunday. He was jumping on that flight ready to go. We've deliberately left him alone. He's had a busy summer.
Stokes and Harry Brook look set to complete the middle order (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
"There's a lot of time before that first World Cup game and when we get to Australia, we'll be really clear with everybody on what the expectations are with their roles."
Stokes averages a touch over 20 for England but hasn't played a T20I since March 2021.
Last year saw him manage just a single game in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals, five games of Durham's T20 Blast campaign and a pair of matches for Northern Superchargers in the men's Hundred
Along with Stokes, Chris Jordan and Liam Livingstone are set to join up with the England squad in Australia for three-match T20I series on October 9, 12 and 14.
They kick off their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on October 22 in Perth.