'Test cricket is absolutely my number one priority' - Ben Stokes makes himself unavailable for IPL auction

England all-rounder, Ben Stokes has decided to skip the upcoming IPL mega auction as he is aiming to prioritise Test cricket. He will instead be playing county cricket in a bid to prepare for the home summer against New Zealand, India and South Africa.

Stokes, who was named MVP for his exploits in the 2017 season, created history in the following edition as he became the most expensive player at the mega-auction. He was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a sum of Rs 12.5 crores.

However, the talismanic all-rounder failed to do justice to his price tag, managing just 2 50+ scores and 16 wickets across 31 outings. He played the opening game of the last edition before a finger injury ruled him out for the entire season.

Stokes may have had underwhelming numbers in the IPL but given his three-dimensional skills, the Durham all-rounder would still have attracted a lot of bids in the mega auction.

However, the southpaw is firmly focussed at improving his red ball game and performing to the best of his abilities for the national side this summer.

In a column for the Daily Mail, Stokes wrote:

"That is my approach to it. Test cricket is absolutely my number one priority, and I want to work alongside Joe Root, the best man we could have as captain, to get us there,"

"It is why I thought long and hard about whether to go to the IPL or not, and felt that this was not about the money but about where my priorities are. It wouldn't be fair on any team I signed up for if I wasn't totally focused on things out there," he added.

"The Test team is where it is at for me right now and I want to give as much of my time and energy to that as possible. I think the Test side will benefit more from me playing a number of County Championship matches this summer and getting myself as best prepared as possible for the challenges of New Zealand and South Africa," added Stokes.

England have endured a disappointing last 12 months in Test cricket. The series defeats to New Zealand and India didn't help and the absolute annihilation that they suffered Down Under, has caused a huge meltdown in English cricket with Ashley Giles, Chris Silverwood and Graham Thorpe having already lost their job.

Stokes admitted that the Ashes defeat was "bitterly disappointing" but has called for patience from fans and media as he feels it will take time for England to be back to their best.

"It was a bitterly disappointing Ashes campaign Down Under, but we have to learn from it and begin the job of building the team back to where we want to be. It will take time, of course it will. Even the white-ball team took time to get to the point where we could win a World Cup," he said.

"And we need to go on a similar journey with the Test team now, with everyone involved 100 percent committed to doing what is necessary to improve and be among the best teams again," he signed.

The mega-auction will take place in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13, where the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Butler and co will be up for sale.