England all-rounder Ben Stokes won’t feature in this year’s Twenty20 World Cup after stating that he is not available for selection on Tuesday.

Stokes wants to focus on regaining his fitness ahead of the Test matches this summer, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.

England are the reigning T20 World Cup champions, having bagged their second title in 2022 in Australia.

The ECB added that Stokes wants “to get fully fit to bowl” for the upcoming Test series against West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Stokes underwent knee surgery in November which affected his ability to bowl regularly.

“I’m working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket,” Stokes, England’s Test captain, said in a statement.

“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.

“I wish Jos, Motty and all the team the best of luck in defending our title.”

The 2024 T20 World Cup will take place in the West Indies and the United States in June.

England’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup defence will begin on June 4 against Scotland in Barbados. They will then feature in group matches against Australia, Oman, and Namibia in Barbados and Antigua before the Super 8s and knockouts.