• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

England all-rounder Ben Stokes decided to reverse his decision and return from the retirement from One-Day Internationals ahead of the ODI World Cup in India late this year.

Stokes, who announced retirement from ODIs last year citing workload management, will be available for the Three Lions who will be defending their 50-over men's World Cup title in a few weeks from now.

The star all-rounder played a crucial part in England's maiden 50-over World Cup triumph, including a match-winning knock in the final against New Zealand, in 2019.

 

ALSO READ: How To Book Tickets For India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Match

 

After all the speculations over his ODI return, England confirmed that the Test skipper will be taking part in the marquee event in India.

Hours after being named in England's preliminary 15-man World Cup squad, Stokes took to Twitter and reacted to his return to ODI cricket.

"LOL (Laughing Out Loud)," Stokes posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"It wasn't really a case of changing his (Stokes's) mind," said England national selector Luke Wright after the squad was unveiled on Wednesday.

 Stokes is currently fighting his own battle as he is going through a knee issue and didn't bowl a single ball during the last three Tests of the drawn Ashes series, which could be an indication that Stokes might feature as a specialist batter during the World Cup.

"Once his body was in a good place and he'd had a rest, he was really keen to play. He still has time to do his rest and rehab, which he's doing, and he says his knee does feel like it's improving," Wright said.

 "The one thing we won't be doing is pushing him to bowl unless he's absolutely fit and raring to go. That was a big part of the decision for him, being able to just play as a batter and that was an easy decision for us.

"Ultimately the decision came down to it's a World Cup we want to win and we feel like we are better, and have more chance, with Stokesy than we haven't. If ever there's someone for the big moments it's Ben Stokes," he added.

The 32-year-old will make his return to the ODI format in the four-match ODI series against New Zealand for which he has replaced Harry Brook in the squad.

 

ALSO READ: LPL 2023 Star Matheesha Pathirana On MS Dhoni

 

Apart from Brook, pace bowler Jofra Archer was also a notable omission.

England have also included uncapped Surrey fast bowler Gus Atkinson in their squad for the New Zealand ODI series.

The defending champions are expected to announce their squad for the mega event by September 25.

 

England ODI squad for New Zealand series:

Jos Buttler (c/wk), 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