England Test captain Ben Stokes is reportedly considering a shift away from the longest format of the game to focus on franchise cricket, according to multiple sources close to the player. The 34-year-old all-rounder has been dealing with persistent knee and hamstring injuries that have limited his bowling workload in recent years.
Stokes, who led England to a 3-0 series win over West Indies in 2024, has not played a Test since the 2025 Ashes series in Australia. His last appearance in the format was in January 2025 during the fifth Test in Sydney, where England lost by an innings. Since then, he has featured in the Indian Premier League and other T20 competitions.
Discussions with England management are ongoing, but no final decision has been made. Stokes has a central contract until September 2026, and any move would require mutual agreement. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not commented on the reports.
Franchise leagues such as the IPL, SA20, and the new UAE-based International League T20 offer lucrative contracts that could extend Stokes' playing career by several years. However, his leadership and all-round abilities would be a significant loss for England's Test side, which is currently rebuilding under new coach Brendon McCullum.
