Renowned allrounder Ben Stokes is making a comeback to One-Day Internationals (ODIs) as a pivotal part of England’s endeavor to retain their World Cup title.
Having announced his retirement from ODIs last year, citing the unfeasibility of playing across all three formats, Stokes has now reversed his decision. According to England’s head coach, Matthew Mott, the notion of his return has been an ongoing topic, largely driven by the discussions initiated by captain Jos Buttler.
While he currently serves as England’s Test captain, Stokes played a vital role in the T20 team’s triumph in the shortest format World Cup last year. Notably, in 2019, his heroics led England to share the World Cup trophy with New Zealand before clinching victory through a boundary countback.
With his sights set on defending that hard-fought title, Stokes has been named in England’s lineup for the upcoming four-match one-day series against New Zealand in September. This squad will constitute the core group for the Cricket World Cup in India, set to kick off in October.
Luke Wright, the England national selector, expressed his anticipation for Stokes’ return, emphasizing the immense value of his match-winning capabilities and leadership.
Moreover, this selection announcement brings with it the debut of Gus Atkinson and John Turner in the international arena, along with Josh Tongue’s well-deserved inclusion in the T20 squad after his standout performances during the Ashes.
Despite an enduring knee injury that hindered his bowling during the recently concluded Ashes series, Stokes exhibited unwavering determination. Plans for surgery post-Ashes have been put on hold, as England aspires to achieve a historic feat – becoming the first men’s one-day team since Australia’s threepeat in 2007 to secure consecutive World Cup victories.
By- Sahiba Suri