England all-rounder Ben Stokes on Monday announced his retirement from One-day Internationals. In an extensive statement, he said that England’s game on Tuesday against South Africa will be his last game in the 50-over format.
“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,” Stokes wrote on Twitter.
The present England Test captain has scored 2919 runs in 104 ODIs along with taking 74 wickets. The highlight of his ODI career was the Player-of-the-Match performance in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord’s. He scored an unbeaten 84, helping the home side win their maiden 50-over World Cup title.
Stokes, who led England in the recent series-levelling Test win over India, doesn’t see himself giving 100 per cent to the ODI format.
He said playing three international formats featuring T20s, 50-over ODIs and Tests was now “unsustainable”.
“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 per cent of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it,” read his statement.
“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 their all. It’s time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years.”
Stokes said that he will now give “everything” to the red-ball format, adding that the decision to step away from ODI cricket also helps him focus on T20 cricket. He also wished success to current skipper Jos Buttler and the England team management.
“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,” wrote the 31-year-old.
“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,” he concluded.
--Agencies
