England cricket captain Ben Stokes has revealed he is managing “the back end of my career” after deciding to skip the Indian Premier League (IPL) to focus on his international commitments. Earlier this year, Stokes opted out of the lucrative T20 tournament to lighten his workload due to ongoing knee problems.

Despite expectations that he would participate in the 2025 edition, with substantial financial offers available at the recent ‘mega auction’ in Saudi Arabia, Stokes was noticeably absent. Other English players such as Jos Butter, Jofra Archer and Phil Salt secured deals exceeding £1million.

Stokes’ previous contract with Chennai Super Kings valued him at £1.6m annually. However, at 33 years old and with a history of physical strain, the all-rounder is committed to giving his best for England, having signed a two-year central contract in October.

Speaking in Christchurch ahead of England’s final Test series of the year against New Zealand, he explained his decision to withdraw from the sport’s most demanding domestic competition. “There’s just so much cricket. There’s no hiding behind the fact that I’m at the back end of my career,” he told BBC’s Test Match Special.

“I obviously want to play as long as I possibly can. Looking after my body and looking after myself as much as I can is key to that – prioritising games and when I do play.

“Obviously I’m in South Africa this year (with MI Cape Town in the the SA20), so it’s about looking at what I’ve got ahead and making the decision that I think is right for me to be able to prolong my career as long as possible.”

“I want to be wearing this England shirt for as long as I can.”

In the immediate term, this means facing a Black Caps team who recently shocked India by whitewashing them on their home turf just a few weeks ago.

New Zealand triumphed with a 3-0 win during their visit, marking India’s first loss on home soil since Alastair Cook’s England 12 years ago and a first ever clean sweep in a series of three or more games.

Stokes, having experienced a 4-1 series defeat at the start of the year, knows the difficulty of defeating India on their own ground, and recognises the need to bring the Kiwis back down to earth when the first Test begins at 10pm GMT on Wednesday.

“We don’t need any more motivation than walking out representing our country but I think you’ve got to appreciate what New Zealand were able to do in India,” he said.

“Even though we’re coming up against them I think you’ve got to hold your hands up and give a huge amount of credit to New Zealand for going to India. I think it’s massive for world cricket.

“India have been such a force in their home conditions. A lot of teams around the world have gone there and wished they could have done the same thing but it’s a lot easier said than done.

“It was a huge thing for cricket in general, that a touring team has been able to go and get one over on India like that. I can’t remember a time when a team has been able to do that.”

England will be handing out their seventh Test debut this year at Hagley Oval, with Warwickshire’s Jacob Bethell filling the number three slot, despite never having played that role in first-class cricket before.

This unexpected elevation comes in the wake of wicketkeeper Jordan Cox suffering a broken thumb during practice, forcing a last-minute shuffle in the lineup.

Stokes said: “It’s a horrible thing to go through an injury and particularly when you’re on the verge of making your Test debut.

Continuing, he acknowledged the collective disappointment for the young cricketer: “But as gutted as I am, as gutted as the rest of the team are, you understand that Jordan is even more gutted.

“You put an arm round him, check in on how he’s going, but there’s not too much you can really say because it is absolutely gutting for the lad and a real shame.”