Ben Stokes PULLS OUT of England's T20 World Cup defence to focus on getting fully fit to play Test summer as an all-rounder

Ben Stokes has opted out of defending the Twenty20 World Cup title he memorably helped England clinch in Australia 18 months ago.

Stokes, 32, struck an unbeaten half-century to seal victory over Pakistan in the final at the MCG, but has withdrawn his availability for June's event in the Caribbean and USA, to prioritise getting fully fit to play as an all-rounder ahead of Test series versus West Indies and Sri Lanka later in the summer.

He recently returned to bowling following knee surgery, memorably taking a wicket with his first delivery since last year's Ashes, and is keen to return to being a frontline rather than bit-part member of England's attack.

Mail Sport understands Test captain Stokes informed England managing director Rob Key of his decision to opt out of the World Cup at a recent meeting between the pair in the north east.

'I'm working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket,' Stokes said.

'Opting out of the Indian Premier League and the World Cup will hopefully be a sacrifice that allows me to be the all-rounder I want to be for the foreseeable future.

'The recent Test tour of India highlighted how far behind I was from a bowling point of view after my knee surgery and nine months without bowling.

'I'm looking forward to playing for Durham in the County Championship before the start of our Test summer.

'I wish Jos (Buttler), Motty (Matthew Mott) and all the team the best of luck in defending our title.'

England, who claimed the first of their two Twenty20 World Cup titles when West Indies last hosted it in 2010, begin their campaign with a match against Scotland in Barbados on June 4 and also face group encounters with Australia, Oman, and Namibia in their bid to qualify for the Super Eight stage.