Ben Stokes takes ODI retirement U-turn as England include him for New Zealand series just before CWC
After announcing his ODI retirement more than a year ago, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes is all set to return to play the 2nd longest format, a month before ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India begins. He has been called up by ECB for the 4-match ODI series against New Zealand at home from 8-15 September.
It will be a rehearsal for both teams before they meet for the World Cup opener at Ahmedabad on October 5. England and New Zealand have formed some sort of rivalry off late as both have been part of some of the best Cricket matches ever.
View this post on Instagram
During the Final of Cricket World Cup 2023, England pipped the Kiwis by a greater boundary count to lift their maiden WC trophy at Lords’. In that final, Ben Stokes was monumental for England, first in their chase (regulation overs) and then in the Super over.
In response to New Zealand’s 241, England’s top-order collapsed dramatically before Stokes and Jos Buttler took over. The duo stood for a 110-run partnership with Buttler departing for 59 with England requiring 46 off 31 balls.
With wickets falling on the other end, Ben Stokes glued to the pitch until the last delivery. England were 239-9 with Boult bowling the final ball which was struck down towards long-off for 1 with Mark Wood getting run out in the final ball.
In the super over too, Ben Stokes was decisive scoring 8 of England’s 15 runs, leaving 16 as the target. Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham had the onus of guiding the Blackcaps home but the Europeans eventually won by “the Barest of margins” due to a greater boundary count.
3 years later against Pakistan in T20 World Cup final, Ben Stokes played another man of the match winning knock to lead England to their 2nd ICC T20 WC trophy in 2022, 6 years after Stokes was shocked by West Indies at Eden Gardens.
View this post on Instagram
So, his importance can never be questioned and England will be extremely happy to have him back in ODI action. Ben Stokes took to Instagram last summer to announce his retirement, stating that ODI cricket has become unsustainable for him.
But just like a true lover of his nation, the 32-year-old will return for what could be a fairytale comeback.
