BEN STOKES today ruled himself out of selection for England’s T20 World Cup title defence as he prioritises being a fully fledged all-rounder in the Test side this summer.

When put on the spot last month about whether he would be on hand for the tournament in the Caribbean and United States in June, England’s Test captain admitted he had “not even thought about that but I’m available.”

It is understood he has had no setback after briefly returning to bowling last month during England’s Test tour of India and there is no lingering discomfort in his left knee following surgery in November.