World’s top all-rounder Ben Stokes will not let the Indian Premier League (IPL) come in the way of his duty towards England and has said that if his franchise makes it to the final, he will return home before the Ashes series to play for the national team against Ireland. Will give priority to leadership. Stokes missed the last edition of the world’s most popular T20 league but is all set to represent Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming season starting March 31.
The IPL final is scheduled for May 28 while England will take on Ireland in a one-off Test from June 1. CSK team will play their first match of the season against Lucknow Supergiants on 3rd April. Asked if he would play for England if CSK qualifies for the title clash, Stokes said, “Yeah, I will.”
He said, “I am making sure that I give myself enough time to get back home and play that match (against Ireland)”. Preferring private league instead of responsibility. Stokes said that he cannot say anything about the choice of his England teammates. Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Harry Brook all have IPL contracts.
Stokes said, “I think it is too early for others to say anything but we have to play in the Ashes after the Ireland Test so I will probably go to the players and ask them if they want to be ready for the Ashes.” He said, “Those five matches are obviously the big games of the summer season and you have to think about what the players want.” The five-match Ashes series starts on June 16 in Birmingham.
