Ben Stokes Announces Retirement From ODIs: In a surprise decision, star England all-rounder Ben Stokes on Monday announced that he will retire from ODI cricket and play his last 50-over game against South Africa in Durham on Tuesday.
The all-rounder made the announcement on his Twitter account with a picture and a lengthy statement holding the World Cup trophy.
“I will play my last match for England in one-day cricket on Tuesday in Durham. I have decided to retire from this format. It is an incredibly difficult decision.
Ben Stokes Announces Retirement From ODI
I have spent every minute playing for England with my teammates. Liked it. We’ve had an incredible journey along the way,” Stokes said in an official statement.
pic.twitter.com/xTS5oNfN2j
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 18, 2022
“As difficult as this decision was, it’s not that hard to deal with the fact that I can’t give my 100% in this format to my teammates anymore. Nothing less than an England shirt-wearer.
Three formats are untenable for me right now Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel like I am taking the place of another player that Jose and the rest of the team have their everything.
It’s time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories over the last 11 years,” he added.
Further in his statement, Stokes said: “I will give my all to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can give my full commitment to the T20 format as well.
I am Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott I want to congratulate, Players and support staff are driving every success. We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright.
“I’ve loved all 104 matches I’ve played so far, got another one, and it feels amazing to play my last game at my home ground in Durham. As always, the England fans have always been there for me and there to be Will continue.
You are the best fan in the world. I hope we can win on Tuesday and set up the series against South Africa well.”
Stokes has played 104 ODIs for England so far, in which he has scored 2,919 runs at an average of 39.44. The all-rounder had featured in the final of the 2019 World Cup as he scored an unbeaten 84 against New Zealand in the summit clash. Stokes was adjudged player of the match.
After making his ODI debut against Ireland in 2011, Stokes scored 2919 runs including three centuries and took 74 wickets. He captained the ODI team during the Royal London Series 3-0 win against Pakistan last summer and has been an inspirational leader.
High-pressure matches have always brought out the best in Stokes, and he is currently the captain of the England Test team.
Under his leadership, England defeated New Zealand 3–0 in the Test series and then the Three Lions defeated India in the Edgbaston Test.