Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, July 18: England all-rounder Ben Stokes on Monday announced his retirement from One-day Internationals. He made a lengthy statement in which he announced that England’s match against South Africa on Tuesday would be his final match 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,” he wrote.
“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,” he added.
❤️🏴 pic.twitter.com/xTS5oNfN2j
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 18, 2022
Stokes stated that he will now give the red-ball format ‘everything,’ adding that the decision to forego ODI sport also allows him to concentrate on T20 cricket. He also expressed his best wishes for Jos Buttler, the current captain, and the England team hierarchy.
Notably, Stokes has scored 2919 runs, including three centuries, and claimed 74 wickets since making his ODI debut against Ireland in 2011.
He has been an inspiring skipper and led the ODI team to a 3-0 triumph over Pakistan in the Royal London Series last summer. Stokes has always performed at his best in games under duress and is currently the captain of the England Test team. His team led England to a 3-0 Test series victory over New Zealand and a Three Lions victory over India in the Edgbaston Test.
