Ben Stokes Rubbishes Ashes Return Claims After International Retirement
Ben Stokes, a former England Test captain, has refuted reports that he will play for his country in the 2027 Ashes series against Australia. The 35-year-old took to social media to debunk suggestions that he could consider making a comeback in specific conditions.
According to the i Paper, Ben Stokes has agreed to play ten games for his hometown club and will be available for the majority of Durham’s County Championship campaign in 2027. According to the article, if certain conditions were met, the all-rounder may yet be willing to return to England for the Ashes.
Ben Stokes , however, promptly rejected the claims. The former England captain responded to the publication’s post on X by criticizing the headline and denying reports of a comeback on the international stage.
Ben Stokes said, “Please don’t waste your £1 to read this…it’s a completely misleading headline and no truth to the Ashes story what so ever!”
Ben Stokes has pledged to play for Durham in the County Championship.
Stokes is allegedly devoted to Durham after playing a key role in the team’s promotion from Division Two last season. The all-rounder is allegedly keen on winning the County Championship with his youth team as he prepares for the 2027 season.
His availability for franchise cricket would also be limited by his decision to play in ten Championship matches. According to the publication, Stokes does not intend to play in The Hundred, the Indian Premier League (IPL), or the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year.
Following his absence at the 2024 auction, his IPL status has been a source of controversy. International players who quit after being selected at an auction may be forbidden from competing for two years, according to earlier BCCI regulations. His eligibility for the 2027 edition remains questionable, however.
In June, during England’s Test series against New Zealand, Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket. His relationship with the national team took a drastic turn when his central contract was eventually terminated.
Will Ben Stokes return for the Ashes in 2027?
Stokes’ decision to commit to a large amount of red-ball cricket with Durham increased the chances that he would return for the Ashes. According to the article, he could be receptive to an offer from England if the circumstances were right, particularly if it came from his close friend and former teammate Joe Root.
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However, Stokes’ outspoken reaction has made it clear that the speculated Ashes comeback is far from certain.
