Ben Stokes ODI Retirement: World Cup 2023: England Test captain Ben Stokes is ready to make a U-Turn on his ODI retirement. England’s Managing Director Rob Key had a brief chat with him in Abu Dhabi before Pakistan tour. As per British media, Stokes has not ruled out the idea to play in one more World Cup next year in India. England limited-overs coach Matthew Mott is also ready to pacify him and give him a direct spot in WC even if he doesn’t play any ODIs till 2023 October. Follow PAK vs ENG LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Key pulled me to the side and as soon as he said ’50-over World Cup’ I just walked away. Who knows? At the moment, being out here, my focus is solely on this series. Going to a World Cup is an amazing thing to do, to represent your country. But at the moment I’m not even thinking about that,” Ben Stokes told British media.
Ben Stokes ODI Retirement: Ben Stokes eyes World Cup 2023, READY for ODI Retirement U-TURN after chat with Rob Key, Check OUT
England’s hero of two World Cup finals (2019 and 2022), is a key figure. His all-round capabilities aside, he has been the man for big matches. With England looking to defend their 50-over World Cup title, Stokes could be crucial to their plans.
England’s white-ball coach Matthew Mott is ready to give him space. He said Stokes could decide not to play any ODIs till 2023 World Cup. Even then, he could make it. It won’t be first time. Before T20 WC 2022, Stokes did not play a T20 for one and a half years. Yet, he scored 110 runs at an average of 36.66 apart from taking 6 wickets in the WC. He was their hero in the final as he scored a laboured 52 not out to guide England to their 2nd T20 WC title in Melbourne.
“When he spoke to me about his ODI retirement, one of the first things I said was that I’d back any decision he made, but I said to him he didn’t necessarily have to retire, he could just not play 50 overs for a while,” Mott said.
❤️🏴 pic.twitter.com/xTS5oNfN2j
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 18, 2022
Ben Stokes ODI Retirement: Ben Stokes eyes World Cup 2023, READY for ODI Retirement U-TURN after chat with Rob Key, Check OUT
Ben Stokes ODI Retirement: Why did Stokes retire from ODIs?
- Being a seam-bowling all-rounder already takes a toll on the body.
- But to play all formats is even more difficult.
- England play close to 50 games a year.
- If Stokes plays at least 30 of them, he risks injuries and missing out on big events.
- With one ICC event every year, England would not want to risk that.
- For example, Sam Curran has already suffered a lower back injury and missed the 2021 T20 WC.
- As he is now the captain of England Test team, he would want to remain fit for all Test series.
“Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give the team their all,” Ben Stokes said of his decision to retire from ODIs.
Ben Stokes ODI Retirement: Ben Stokes eyes World Cup 2023, READY for ODI Retirement U-TURN after chat with Rob Key, Check OUT
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