England’s 50-year-old World Cup hero Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from the format, citing the cost of playing all three forms of the game on his body.
Stokes consolidated his name in English cricket folklore with his incredible 84 undefeated in the final against New Zealand, which helped England claim the 2019 World Cup. He was named match player for his efforts.
Since then, he has been named captain of the test team and remains a key part of the T20’s set-up, but will no longer play in the 50-plus format, despite missing the next World Cup by just 12 months.
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The 31-year-old versatile turned to Instagram to confirm that this week’s one-day clash with South Africa would be his last match in the England format.
Ben Stokes (R) with Joe Root and the 2019 World Cup trophy after his incredible heroism in the final. (Getty)
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make,” he wrote in a lengthy statement.
“I loved every minute of playing with my teammates in England. We had an amazing journey down the road.
“No matter how hard this decision has to be made, it’s not as difficult as facing the fact that I can no longer give 100 percent of myself to my teammates in this format. The England shirt deserves nothing less than any to wear it.
“Three formats are now unsustainable for me. Not only do I feel like my body is disappointing me with the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel like I’m taking the place of another player who can give (England’s ODI captain), Jos (Buttler) and the rest of the team do it all.
“It’s time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make amazing memories like the ones I’ve had for the last 11 years.
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“I will give everything I have to try cricket, and now, with that decision, I feel I can also give my full commitment to the T20 format.”
The match against South Africa will be Stokes ’105th ODI for England and he arrives at Riverside Field in Chester-le-Street, the home of his Durham County team.
Incredibly in three years since his iconic World Cup final against the Black Caps, Stokes has played just nine more ODIs.
Since taking over as captain of the event in April, Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have transformed the team with an aggressive, expansive style reminiscent more of the ODI and T20 cricket than the five-man format. days, often quiet.
England swept world champion New Zealand in their three-match Test series last month before beating India in a fifth delayed test in a series that was held last year.
Stokes had scores of 0, 21 and 27 in an ODI series against India this month as England lost 2-1.
Stokes has only played nine ODIs since his heroic victory in the 2019 World Cup final (Getty)
“I fully understand why he has come to this conclusion,” said Rob Key, the managing director of England’s men’s cricket who installed Stokes as a test pattern.
“I’m sure when we look back on Ben’s career and see this as one of the reasons he will play more than 120 tests and help England in T20 and World Cup matches for many years. It’s usually a selfless decision that will benefit England in the long run “.
Stokes has made 2,919 runs and has taken 74 ports since making his ODI debut in 2011, becoming the star of the England team that dominated the match over 50 over 2015-19.
Eoin Morgan was the captain of this World Cup winning team and also recently retired, to be replaced by Buttler under new white ball coach Matthew Mott.
“We’ve made great strides in white ball cricket over the last seven years,” Stokes said, “and the future looks bright.”
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