Ben Stokes Set To Come Out of ODI Retirement To Compete in ICC World Cup 2023: Report
The all-rounder had played a crucial knock that helped England win the ICC World Cup in 2019 for the first time. It was reported earlier that England were involved in talks with Ben Stokes over a potential return to the squad for the marquee tournament, which begins on October 5.
In a sensational development, Ben Stokes is set to come out of ODI retirement and participate in this year’s ODI World Cup. Reports, which circulated earlier, stated that England would talk to Stokes and hope he would reverse his retirement decision prior to the World Cup and it seems things have gone the way the defending champions would have wanted, so far. Stokes played an instrumental role for England in their maiden World Cup title win in 2019 and Jos Buttler and his team would hope the Test skipper makes a similar sort of impact this time around. Stokes for the record, had also played a crucial knock that helped England lift the T20 World Cup last year in Australia. England Coach Matthew Mott Indicates At Jofra Archer's Inclusion in ICC World Cup 2023 Squad Despite Injury Concerns.
According to a report in The Telegraph, the southpaw is set to make a return to the England ODI team for the marquee tournament, which starts on October 5 if Buttler, the captain asks him to do so. Stokes had announced his retirement from the 50-over format for England last year citing packed schedules. However, the report also claims that Stokes can miss the IPL next year if he plays the World Cup with him likely to undergo a knee surgery, which will keep him out of action for some time. Also, he might play the World Cup as a pure batter, with concerns lingering over the fact that whether he could be able to bowl or not. England Fast Bowler Steven Finn Announces Retirement From All Forms of Cricket.
Not just Stokes but England also are hopeful of Jofra Archer returning to the side for the tournament. All teams competing in the World Cup are reportedly required to submit their squads by September 5 and will have until September 27 to make changes to that. England are the reigning champions in both limited-overs formats and will begin their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign against New Zealand, in a repeat of the last edition’s final.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2023 10:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).