Ben Stokes leaves the door open for a return to the ODI World Cup in India. Ben Stokes announce his retirement from One-Day Internationals in July. Citing workload concerns, but less than five months later, he has left the door open for a future U-turn.
Ben Stokes, England’s star all-rounder. Ruled out returning from ODI retirement for the 50-over World Cup in India next year. The 31-year-old England Test skipper announced his retirement from ODIs in July, citing workload concerns, but less than five months later, he has left the door open for a future U-turn. “Who knows how I’ll feel about a World Cup at the time,” Stokes said, according to ESPNcricinfo.
He was speaking ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, which starts on Thursday here. Stokes instrumental in England’s 50-over World Cup final victory in 2019. Again when they were crowned T20 champions in Australia in November.
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In October-November 2023, India will host the next 50-over World Cup.
“It’s one of those situations. Going to a World Cup and representing your nation is an incredible experience “He stated.
“But I’m not even thinking about it right now. My complete focus is on this series (against Pakistan).” Stokes was among the players who did not report to training on Wednesday due to a viral virus epidemic in the English camp.
In the aftermath of the T20 victory, Stokes stated he was approached by director of cricket Rob Key about returning for the 50-over World Cup.
“He drew me aside, and as soon as he said ’50-over World Cup,’ I just walked away,” Stokes explained.
Stokes remarked when he announced his ODI retirement that it should serve as a caution to authorities about the number of multi-format cricket players expected to play.
“There is too much cricket crammed into people’s schedules currently to play all three formats,” he stated in July.
“We’re not vehicles; you can’t just load us up and send us out there ready to be refueled.” He therefore discarded the idea of returning to participate in the 50-over World Cup.
“It wouldn’t be fair to anyone who has that opportunity with me not playing this format now to say, ‘Yeah, I’ll come back,'” he had stated.
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