London: Stokes announced his retirement from ODI cricket last year, a decision that took many by surprise. However, recent reports suggest that he might reconsider his stance and make a comeback to the ODI scene if called upon by England’s ODI captain, Jos Buttler.
English cricket fans may witness the return of Ben Stokes to One Day International (ODI) cricket, as per a report by the UK Telegraph. The cricketer is reportedly mulling over ending his retirement from the format, with his eyes set on the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The all-rounder’s journey has been marked by challenges, including a knee injury sustained during his time in New Zealand in February. This unfortunate setback forced him to sit out the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite his readiness to lead England in the Ashes, his participation was limited to batting due to the lingering effects of the injury, and he bowled only 29 overs across five Test matches.
A remarkable aspect of Stokes potential return is his willingness to forgo a lucrative IPL contract worth £1.6 million in order to bolster England’s defence of the World Cup title.
Notably, Stokes etched his name into cricket history with a Player-of-the-Match performance during the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s. His heroic, unbeaten 84-run knock played a pivotal role in propelling the match into a thrilling Super Over, leading England to their first-ever ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup victory.
Stokes initially retired from ODI cricket in July 2022, with his decision seemingly firm. However, his subsequent desire to remain fit for the Test series against India in early 2024 kept him focused on the longer format of the game.
Despite his hiatus from ODIs, Stokes has consistently showcased his batting prowess. England’s white-ball coach, Matthew Mott, has expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of including him in the World Cup squad solely based on his batting skills.
Mott stated, “Jose Buttler will probably lead the way on that communication, but Ben’s pretty straight with all of us. We will see if he’s keen.” Mott emphasised that while Stokes’ bowling would be an added bonus, his batting contributions and overall presence on the field make him a valuable asset.
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