England captain Ben Stokes has voiced concerns over the current international cricket schedule, emphasizing the need for it to be “addressed” and advocating for player input on future tour programs. Following the final Test against West Indies at Edgbaston, England will enjoy a three-week break for The Hundred tournament before facing Sri Lanka in a three-match series. This will be the longest rest period for England players until the end of the year.
The Sri Lanka Test series concludes on September 10, and Australia’s white-ball team begins an eight-match tour just a day later at the Ageas Bowl. From there, England’s schedule became relentless, with the Australia series immediately followed by a Test tour to Pakistan, a white-ball series in the West Indies, and three Tests in New Zealand to close out the year. This tight schedule particularly impacts players who compete in all three formats, leaving little time for rest and recovery between series.
When asked if his ambitions with the Test team would be hampered by the schedule, Stokes replied, “I hope not. It is something that does need to be addressed. Who knows what international cricket is going to look like, with all the franchise stuff that is going on as well? It does need to get looked at. The landscape is constantly changing. I don’t think anyone can put their hand on their heart and say they know what cricket is going to look like in even two years’ time.”
Stokes suggested that consultation with players, including himself and Jos Buttler, could provide valuable input on the Future Tours Programme (FTP). “The FTP could maybe see the people playing in it consulted, and I think we could have some good input in that,” he said. When asked whether he had been consulted on the recent FTP running from 2023-27, Stokes responded, “Yes and no. Make of that what you will.”
Stokes was also guarded when asked about his own white-ball career. Having reversed his ODI retirement to play in the 2023 World Cup, he opted out of the T20 World Cup to focus on Test duties. He declined to comment on reports that he has signed an £800,000 deal with MI Cape Town in the SA20, which clashes with the India white-ball series at the start of next year.
