Injury sidelines Stokes as England announce ICC Champions Trophy squad

England Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of next year’s Champions Trophy and the preceding white-ball tour of India, following a hamstring injury sustained during the third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton earlier this month.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Sunday that the 33-year-old all-rounder would not be considered for selection.

"Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes was not considered for selection as he continues to be assessed following a left hamstring injury sustained," the ECB stated.

Stokes was unable to bat in the second innings of England’s 423-run defeat to New Zealand, a loss that still saw the team win the three-match series 2-1.

The injury marks the latest in a series of hamstring problems for the England star, who had previously missed the home series against Sri Lanka and the first Test in Pakistan this year.

With England facing a busy 2024, including a five-match Test series at home against India in June and a crucial Ashes tour of Australia in 2025/26, the team management has opted to prioritise Stokes' recovery and avoid further injury risk.

Meanwhile, key batsman Joe Root, who previously stepped down as Test captain in favour of Stokes, makes his return to the ODI side for the first time since England’s 2023 World Cup campaign in India.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, who missed England's recent Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand due to a right elbow injury, has been included in both the India tour and Champions Trophy squads.

The tour to India, starting with five T20s in January and followed by a three-match ODI series, will be England's first limited-overs assignment under coach Brendon McCullum, who had previously only managed the Test team.

Jos Buttler remains as captain of both the ODI and T20 sides despite England’s recent World Cup setbacks. However, it is possible that Buttler may not keep wicket during the series, as both Jamie Smith and Phil Salt have been included as additional wicketkeeping options.

21-year-old Jacob Bethell, who impressed during his debut Test series in New Zealand with three fifties, has been named in both squads.

Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed joins the T20 squad, while Root is selected exclusively for the ODIs.

The England squad will depart for India on January 17, with the first T20 scheduled for January 22 in Kolkata with the ODI series against India beginning in Nagpur on February 6.

The Champions Trophy, which will also feature the host Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, will take place from February 19 to March 9 2025, although match dates are yet to be confirmed.