There was a lot of talk when English test skipper Ben Stokes shockingly announced his ODI retirement last year to focus more on tests and T20Is. Though he withdrew his retirement for the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 in India, it didn’t turn out well for England.
The defending champions failed to qualify for the semis and are also fighting for a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Stokes struck a match-winning hundred in the last game against Netherlands and won the game for his team. England will play their last World Cup game on Saturday against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens.
All eyes will be on Stokes and how he performs because England needs this win. But what after that? After the World Cup 2023, England will play three ODIs against West Indies in December. So will Stokes continue playing in ODIs as well, or will he retire?
This is a big question. Because if England qualifies for the Champions Trophy, then Stokes will be a valuable player in ODIs for England in that tournament. However, the test captain has given a hint over his ODI future for England.
In a conversation with the Belfast Telegraph, he was asked if his last group match against Pakistan would be his last ODI, which he didn’t clarify much and kept as a secret. He said, “I’ve no idea. I’m sure there will be a conversation, but I don’t know when that will be. From a physical point of view, I’m better off than when I first got out here, but physical fitness and cricket fitness are two different things.”
Stokes was the prime reason that England won the final against New Zealand in 2019. Apart from that, he has played some match-winning knocks on the big stage that have helped his team get success in the past few years. The 32-year-old has struggled with injuries as well, but his presence on the team is always a confidence booster. Stokes has played 113 ODIs, scored 3379 runs, and taken 74 wickets as well.
