Ben Stokes Likely To Take U-Turn On ODI Retirement For 2023 World Cup in India
Ben Stokes in action during 2019 WC (Twitter)
England's Test zealot Ben Stokes will likely reverse his ODI retirement to return to the team's 50-overs lore in time for the upcoming World Cup in India. The all-round maverick played the last of his 105 ODI matches for England back in July 2022 in Chester-le-Street, just a day after announcing his exit from the format.
The cricketer has also made himself scarce from England's T20I setup following their triumphant run at the World Cup in Australia last November.
Ben Stokes tipped to make ODI return
Ben Stokes will likely accept an invitation back into England's ODI squad if limited-overs skipper Jos Buttler asks the premier all-rounder to do so. Interestingly, Stokes is currently leading England's Test side, and he recently revoked Moeen Ali's Test retirement for a month by sending him a text message.
The all-rounder starred in England's ODI World Cup triumph four years ago at home, scoring crucial runs in the final and in the resultant Super Over against runners-up New Zealand.
Stokes, yet to fully recover from his knee injury, must undergo an operation in the coming months. By returning for the team's World Cup defence, the 32-year-old might well jeopardise his lucrative IPL deal with the CSK for next season.
As per a report by Telegraph, Stokes is already prepared to miss IPL 2024 if he needs a gap in his schedule to help him recover.
In the meantime, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) must submit their 2023 World Cup squad by September 5. However, they can make changes to the group until September 27, as per the ICC.
The ECB also hopes for Jofra Archer to be fully fit in time for the tournament. The report revealed that the board would be willing to take him to India even if he is fit enough to play only important matches.
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