England all-rounder Ben Stokes announces retirement from ODI cricket

Ben Stokes has announced that he will retire from ODI cricket after England’s opening ODI against South Africa at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday. The all-rounder featured in 104 ODI games for England across his 11-year career and played a momentous role in their 2019 World Cup triumph at Lord’s, winning the man of the match award in the final against New Zealand for his unbelievable knock of 84* off 98 deliveries.

In a statement released on his social media, Stokes said, “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.”

“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 their all,” he added.

“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.”

England’s Test captain confirmed that he will continue playing red-ball cricket and T20Is, with the primary reason for his retirement from ODIs the incredible workload placed on the three-format players by the schedule.

England’s managing director of Men’s cricket, Rob Key, applauded Stokes’ courageous choice, stating, “I know this must have been a tough decision, but I completely understand why he has reached this conclusion.”

“I’m sure that when we look back on Ben’s career and see this as one of the reasons he will play 120-plus Tests and help England in T20 matches and World Cups for many years to come. “It is a typically selfless decision that will benefit England long-term,” Key said.

Stokes made his international debut in 50-over cricket against Ireland in August 2011 and finishes his ODI career with 2919 runs at an average of 39.4 and 74 wickets, including three centuries and one five-wicket haul. Stokes played in all three ODIs in the recently concluded series against India – scoring 48 runs and bowling just three overs – and will play his final ODI at his home ground at Durham against South Africa on Tuesday.