Ben Stokes Reverses ODI Retirement: As expected, England allrounder Ben Stokes reversed his ODI retirement and will be seen in action in the upcoming New Zealand limited-over series.
Ben Stokes Reverses ODI Retirement
The 2019 World Cup final’s Player of the Match award winner Ben Stokes announced his retirement from ODI cricket in July 2022. Citing an overwhelming work schedule and a desire to focus on Test cricket, Ben Stokes took this decision after he was named the captain of the Test side.
Though the decision of including Ben Stokes in limited over format started to flood since the week’s start, the official announcement came right after the squad announcement.
According to the report, “Ben Stokes is prepared to make a sensational U-Turn and reverse his One-Day International retirement to help England’s World Cup defence in India this year, even if it means missing out on next season’s Indian Premier League. The England Test captain now appears willing to play World Cup if he is asked by white-ball captain Jos Buttler,” the paper reported.
Stokes played a crucial role in England’s triumph in the 2019 ODI World Cup as he played a crucial 84-run knock in the final against New Zealand to help his team lift the trophy for the first time. He replicated the same kind of performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup Final against Pakistan – 52 runs*, to help England clinch the title.
Wright also said the squad for the New Zealand ODI series is also England’s provisional squad for the ODI World Cup.
“The return of Ben Stokes only adds to that quality with his match-winning ability and leadership. I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again,” said Luke Wright, England Men’s National Selector.
“We’re also excited to give first international call-ups to both Gus Atkinson and John Turner while Josh Tongue has deserved a place in the T20 squad after impressing during the Ashes. Any series against New Zealand is closely fought and will provide us with an ideal opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world”, he added.
Both teams will play a total of 4 T20Is and 4 ODI games between August 30 – September 15. The ODI series will lay a strong foundation for both teams for their ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 preparation.
England ODI squad
Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes
England T20I squad
Jos Buttler (c) Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, John Turner, Luke Wood
