England’s bid to defend its World Cup title received a big boost. Ben Stokes, the player of the match in the 2019 World Cup final, has been given the green light to return to the format. Stokes had earlier retired from ODI cricket, citing workload. Now, he has agreed to return on the call of both captain Jos Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott.
As per The Telegraph, Ben Stokes is open to a retirement U-turn to boost England’s World Cup 2023 bid. The left-hander had retired last year, but coach Mott was persuasive in wanting the all-rounder to play in the tournament in India. Stokes was key in England’s first World Cup win in 2019. He followed it with yet another player-of-the-match performance in the T20 World Cup final last year.
Stokes has his injury troubles, with a dodgy knee requiring surgery. However, England is open to having the 31-year-old as a pure batter in the middle order. The Chennai Super Kings star played as a specialist batsman in the latter stages of the Ashes 2023.
Before England’s following ODI on September 5, the International Cricket Council must receive all World Cup rosters. However, until September 27, all nations are able to replace their squad. England have four ODIs against New Zealand and three against Ireland in September, before the final deadline to make changes.
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