Ben Stokes, the former Test captain of England, has denied rumors that he might play again for his country in the 2027 Ashes series against Australia. The 35-year-old used social media to deny the rumors after a report implied that he might think about making a comeback in specific situations.
The i Paper reports that Stokes has committed to play ten games for his boyhood club and will be available for the majority of Durham’s County Championship campaign in 2027. According to the report, if certain requirements were satisfied, the all-rounder might still be amenable to returning to England for the Ashes.
Stokes, though, quickly dismissed the rumors. The former England captain responded to the publication’s post on X by denying the rumors about his possible international return and criticizing the report’s headline.
Stokes wrote that, “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 pledges to play in Durham’s County Championship.
Following his major contribution to Durham’s promotion from Division Two the previous season, Stokes is reportedly committed to the team. The all-rounder is reportedly prioritizing winning the County Championship with his childhood club as he gets ready for the 2027 campaign.
His availability for franchise cricket would also be restricted by his choice to participate in ten Championship games. Stokes does not intend to play in The Hundred, the Indian Premier League (IPL), or the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year, according to the report.
After he missed the 2024 auction, his IPL status has also been a topic of debate. Foreign players who withdraw after being selected at an auction may be barred from the competition for two years, according to regulations previously established by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His eligibility for the 2027 edition is still up in the air, though.
During England’s June Test series against New Zealand, Stokes declared his retirement from international cricket. His relationship with the national team underwent a dramatic shift when his central contract was later terminated.
Is Ben Stokes going to be back for the 2027 Ashes?
Ben Stokes’ decision to commit to a significant block of red-ball cricket with Durham had raised the prospect of him returning for the Ashes. According to the report, if the conditions were right, he might take an approach from England, especially if it came from Joe Root, his close friend and former teammate.
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Ben Stokes’ public reaction, however, has made it abundantly evident that the rumored Ashes comeback is not a real possibility.
