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Even though England’s Test visit to India is coming up
in two and a half months, Ben Stokes never entertained the idea of withdrawing
from the World Cup early to expedite his upcoming knee surgery. “The easy
way out” would have been to go home, he claimed.
Prior to England’s 33-run loss to Australia in
Ahmedabad last week, Stokes disclosed that he would undergo surgery later this
month to attempt to address the persistent left knee problem that has forced
him to play as a specialist hitter since the beginning of July. With a five to
seven week recuperation period, he should have enough time before his Test team
visit to India in January. On January 25, the first of the five Tests gets
underway in Hyderabad.
But even after their elimination was confirmed, Stokes
said he did not consider heading home ahead of England’s final two group
fixtures. “Just because things haven’t gone as we’d wanted, there were
never any thoughts about leaving early, taking the easy way out,” he said.
“We came here as part of a team and we will leave here as one.”
Jos Buttler, England’s captain, said that there had
not been a conversation about the possibility of Stokes leaving. “It’s not
his style at all: he’s here to play in the World Cup. He wants to be here and
it’s important for us to try and qualify for that Champions Trophy. He wants to
make sure we try and achieve that.”
Following England’s final group match against Pakistan
in Kolkata on Saturday, Stokes is very unlikely to play in an ODI after having
reversed his retirement for this tournament. That will be his final 50-over
contest for a minimum of ten months, as his operation will prevent him from
playing in England’s Caribbean trip next month, and they won’t play another
One-Day International until September 2024.
future plans on Wednesday night, saying that he had
“no idea” whether Saturday will be his final ODI. Rob Key, England’s
managing director, is in Kolkata ahead of the Pakistan game. “I’m sure
there will be a conversation [with him],” Stokes said. “But I don’t
know when that will be.”