April 11, 2025: England men’s cricket managing director Rob Key has provided a significant update on Ben Stokes’ future in white-ball cricket, stating that the all-rounder is unlikely to feature in the shorter formats anytime soon. The focus, Key said, is on getting Stokes fully fit to resume his all-round role in Test matches.
Speaking on a recent podcast, as shared by Sky Sports Cricket, Key said,
“I cannot see him playing in the immediate future. The whole point with Ben right now is to get him fully fit. Neil Killeen, our elite pace bowling coach, has been working with him recently, and Ben has just started bowling again at 75 percent intensity. That’s where our focus is.”
Stokes, who famously came out of ODI retirement to participate in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, has not played any competitive cricket since the tournament. According to Key, the England management is now concentrating on preparing the Test captain for the upcoming Zimbabwe Test series, set to begin on May 22 at Trent Bridge.
“He’s a brilliant captain and batsman, but we need him back as a proper all-rounder—someone who can contribute with both bat and ball. That’s the aim for the Zimbabwe Test and the upcoming red-ball assignments,” Key added.
The comments also come amid speculation over Stokes’ role in the white-ball squad, especially with Harry Brook taking over as England’s white-ball captain. While acknowledging that Brook would benefit from having someone of Stokes’ caliber in the lineup, Key reiterated that Stokes’ inclusion in limited-overs formats will only be considered once he’s in peak physical condition.
“Harry has made it clear he would love to have Ben involved, but for that to happen, Ben needs to be fully fit and capable of playing that demanding all-rounder role,” said Key.
Despite the uncertainty, Rob Key didn’t rule out a possible return to white-ball cricket in the long term. He hinted that if all goes well, Stokes could be in contention for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026.
“There is no reason why he cannot come back, provided he’s fit and performing at his best. No one is ever really out of contention if they are among the best in the country,” Key concluded.
As things stand, Stokes remains a crucial part of England’s red-ball plans, and fans may have to wait until he’s physically ready before seeing him don the England jersey again in white-ball formats.