The Hundred begins on August 5, a day after England are due to finish a five-match Test series against India. With the Ashes to come later this year, starting in Perth on November 21, Stokes has taken the decision to preserve himself for those challenges.
The news will be warmly received by Test fans, particularly with England’s focus on winning back the urn in Australia. Much of their success on that tour, and in the summer against India, will hinge on Stokes’ ability to operate as a fully functioning allrounder, a role he was able to reprise at the start of last summer following successful knee surgery at the end of 2023. Stokes is expected to be fit for the start of this season, ahead of England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, which begins on May 22.
Harry Brook, who captained the Superchargers last year, will replace Stokes as their designated centrally-contracted player for the 2025 season on a contract now worth £200,000. ESPNcricinfo understands that Stokes will remain close with the franchise, who will look to retain his services going forward.
