England captain Ben Stokes has opted out of The Hundred this summer as he continues his recovery from hamstring surgery, prioritizing his fitness ahead of a crucial Ashes series in Australia.
Stokes, who sustained the initial hamstring injury while playing for the Northern Superchargers in August 2024, suffered a recurrence during England’s third Test against New Zealand in December. Following surgery earlier this year, he has taken a cautious approach to ensure he is fully fit for England’s upcoming assignments.
The decision was made in consultation with Andrew Flintoff, the Superchargers’ head coach. With The Hundred set to commence on August 5, just a day after England conclude their five-match Test series against India, Stokes has decided to focus on his rehabilitation with the Ashes in mind. The marquee series begins on November 21 in Perth.
Stokes’ absence from The Hundred is a significant setback for the tournament, particularly as it undergoes a transitional phase following the recent sale of its eight franchises. The Superchargers, now fully owned by Sun Group, have appointed Harry Brook as their designated centrally-contracted player for 2025, replacing Stokes on a £200,000 contract.
Stokes’ decision follows a tumultuous period of injuries. His initial hamstring tear ruled him out of crucial Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Despite pushing through rehabilitation, another setback in New Zealand led to an extended layoff, which also forced him to miss the SA20 tournament with MI Cape Town. Having undergone knee surgery in late 2023, Stokes is determined to return as a fully functioning all-rounder, a role that will be instrumental in England’s Ashes campaign.
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While his withdrawal from The Hundred is a blow for the competition, England fans will take solace in his commitment to regaining peak fitness. He is expected to be available for England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, starting May 22, marking his return to red-ball cricket.
Meanwhile, the Superchargers continue to shape their squad under new director of cricket Mickey Arthur. They are set to announce the retention of South Africa’s David Miller and Durham’s Graham Clark, following his impressive run in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Stokes’ withdrawal follows that of Moeen Ali, who also stepped away from The Hundred earlier this week as he prepares to retire from English domestic cricket. While The Hundred loses some of its biggest names, England’s focus remains firmly on reclaiming the Ashes, with Stokes’ fitness pivotal to their ambitions Down Under.
