England Test captain Ben Stokes ends ODI retirement to play in the World Cup

England Test captain Ben Stokes has come out of ODI retirement to play in the upcoming Cricket World Cup.

Stokes made the ‘tough decision’ to retire from 50-over cricket in July 2022 and said playing all three formats was ‘unsustainable for me now’.

The 32-year-old scored 2,919 runs and took 74 wickets in 104 one-day internationals after making his debut in 2011.

Stokes was England’s hero in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand, hitting 84 not out to force a super over, which Eoin Morgan’s side won on boundary countback.

England thought they would be without their talismanic all-rounder for the 2023 World Cup, which will be played in India from October 5 to November 19, but he has ended his ODI retirement ahead of the tournament.

Stokes will mark his return to ODI cricket during England’s four-match series against New Zealand in September after being named in their 15-player squad.

‘The return of Ben Stokes only adds to that quality with his match-winning ability and leadership,’ England national selector Luke Wright said. ‘I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again.’

Despite struggling with a knee problem, Stokes captained England to a 2-2 draw in the recent Ashes series against Australia, playing as a specialist batter in the final three Tests.

Stokes scored a stunning 155 in vain during England’s defeat at Lord’s and half-centuries in the next two Tests at Headingley and Old Trafford.

England will attempt to become just the third team to win back-to-back 50-over World Cups later this year. Australia won the tournament three times in a row between 1999 and 2007, while West Indies achieved the feat in the 1970s.

Jos Buttler’s side go into the competition as 50-over and T20 world champions, having lifted the T20 World Cup for the second time at the end of last year.

Stokes also played a starring role in that World Cup final, scoring 52 not out as England chased Pakistan’s 137-8 with five wickets and six balls to spare.

The uncapped Surrey fast bowler Gus Atkinson has also been included in England’s ODI squad, while a T20 squad for four matches against New Zealand features Josh Tongue and John Turner.

‘We have been able to name two extremely strong squads that underline the depth of talent we enjoy in white-ball cricket,’ ex-England all-rounder Wright said.

‘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.

‘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.’

Reacting to Stokes’ U-turn, England batter Ollie Pope told Sky Sports: ‘Ben loves playing for England and any team in the world is lucky to have Ben Stokes.

‘It’s no secret that he’s trying to manage his knee but it’s great that he feels in a place where he can have a big contribution in a World Cup.

‘Every team in the world is better with Ben Stokes in it. It’s great for everybody and I’m sure he will have a great tournament.

‘I’m sure he’s been talking to Jos [Buttler] and Matt [Mott] to talk about his workload. There’s no Test cricket now [for England] until the new year so he has got time to recover and get his body right for the World Cup.

‘It’s a World Cup and another opportunity to write his name into history.’

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