The Hundred this year starts the day after England’s five-Test series against India concludes at the Oval, with the first fixture for the Superchargers – for whom Stokes still hopes to play in future seasons – coming against Welsh Fire at Headingley a further two days later.
With memories fresh of his battle to return from his hamstring injury in time for England’s Test series in Pakistan last October – he eventually missed the first of their three games there and said that in his desire to recover “I did physically drain and ruin myself” – the 33-year-old has opted to build some space into his schedule.
That pulled muscle kept him out of all cricket for two months and, after a recurrence while playing for England in New Zealand late last year, he required surgery from which he is recovering.
England’s Test captain has chosen to focus on his fitness and his duties with the red ball, and Moeen has decided to retire from county cricket so he can grasp the opportunities offered by global franchise leagues.
The competition has brought only bad luck to Stokes, who in five appearances has scored only 14 runs at an average of 3.50 and sustained one serious hamstring injury, while playing for Northern Superchargers last August.
