England Test cricket team captain Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from ODI cricket. The ICC 2019 World Cup winner will play his last ODI against South Africa in Durham. Stokes announced the news on his official Twitter account along with a picture of him holding the 2019 World Cup trophy. After making his ODI debut against Ireland in 2011, Stokes scored 2919 runs including three centuries and took 74 wickets in the format. His match-winning effort in the World Cup 2019 final remains the highlight, when his unbeaten 84* helped send the match into a Super Over, which England won.
pic.twitter.com/xTS5oNfN2j— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) 18 July 2022
Stokes wrote in his post, “I will play my last match for England in one day cricket in Durham on Tuesday. I have decided to retire from this format. It is an incredibly difficult decision. Minute se love. My teammates for England. We’ve had an incredible journey along the way. As tough as it was to make this decision, it’s not that hard to deal with the fact that I can’t give my 100% to my teammates in this format anymore Nothing short of an England shirt wearer. The three formats are unsettling for me right now. Not only do I feel like my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am replacing another player who can give his all to Jose and the rest of the team.”
“It is time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and create incredible memories over the past 11 years. I will give my all to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I am making my full commitment.” I would like to wish Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players and the support staff every success. We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright. I have loved all the 104 matches I have played so far, I have one more, and it feels amazing to play 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. To stay. You are the best fan in the world. I hope we can win on Tuesday and set up the series against South Africa well. Thank you,” Stokes concluded.