Ben Stokes Retires From ODI Cricket, Says ‘3 Formats Are Just Unsustainable For Me Now’
Mumbai: England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from ODI cricket, saying England’s match against South Africa on Tuesday will be his last ODI.
He will finish with 104 ODI caps, the most famous one being the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s.
“I will play my last game for England in ODI cricket on Tuesday in Durham. I have decided to retire from this format. This has been an incredibly tough decision to make. I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way,” he said in an ECB release.
“As hard as a decision as this was to come to, it’s not as hard dealing with the fact I can’t give my teammates 100% of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it.
“Three formats are just unsustainable for me 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 that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team they all. It’s time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories as I have over the past 11 years.
“I will give everything I have to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can also give my total commitment to the T20 format.
“I would like to wish Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players and the support staff every success going forward. We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright.
“I have loved all 104 games I have played so far, I’ve got one more, and it feels amazing to be playing my last game at my home ground in Durham.
“As always, the England fans have always been there for me and will continue to be there. You’re the best fans in the world. I hope we can win on Tuesday and set the series up nicely against South Africa.”
https://twitter.com/benstokes38/status/1548992324939616258?s=20&t=Mu5A-gMDBqAixK4-V-Ehvw
Stokes made his ODI debut against Ireland in Dublin in August 2011, making just three runs, and was a regular fixture in the team from 2013 onwards.
His 104 ODIs for England have seen Stokes score 2,919 runs at an average of 39.44, including three centuries. He has taken 74 wickets at an average of 41.79.
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