Ben Stokes's all-round skills would have seriously challenged the top spot in the most-expensive list of the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Jeddah, but England's Test captain did not register himself. He has now revealed that he did so to extend his international career.
"(There is) just so much cricket. There's no hiding behind the fact that I'm at the back-end of my career. 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," Stokes, 33, told BBC Sport.
Stokes will lead England in the three-Test away series against New Zealand, which begins in Christchurch on Thursday.
"(It is about) prioritising games and when I do play - obviously I'm in South Africa this year - 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 wear this England shirt for as long as I can," he said.
Had Stokes registered for the auction and then was acquired by one of the 10 teams, it would have been difficult for him to pull out because of the new IPL regulations.
It states that any overseas player pulling out of the tournament after being bought will remain ineligible to play in the league for the subsequent two years.
Stokes has played for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings in the past IPL seasons.
