Former Australian Test skipper Tim Paine has labeled English Test skipper Ben Stokes as ‘selfish’ after the latter decided to make a U-turn on his ODI retirement with the World Cup 2023 less than two months away. Paine said that Stokes picks and chooses which tournaments he wishes to play, disregarding the players who have been playing in the past 12 months.
For those who are unaware, Stokes was asked by the English management whether he wished to come back and play in the World Cup in India. The left-hander then agreed to the management’s request and announced his return to the ODI format.
“Ben Stokes coming out of one day retirement, I found that interesting,” Paine said while talking with Sen Radio.
“It was a bit of ‘Me, me, me’, there isn’t it? It was, ‘I’ll pick and I’ll choose where I want to play and when I want to play’, and ‘I’ll play in the big tournaments’.” Paine opined on Stokes taking the spot of players who have been regulars during the last 12 months.
“The guys who played for 12 months, ‘Sorry, thanks. But can you go and sit on the bench because I want to play now?’,” Paine further said.
Also Read: ‘Lol’, Ben Stokes refers to Moeen Ali after making ODI retirement U-turn for World Cup 2023
After speculation, Stokes was included in the 15-man squad for the 4-match ODI series against New Zealand next month. The all-rounder is expected to play just as a specialist batter due to his chronic knee injury.
Stokes inclusion, however, meant that Harry Brook will miss out on the berth for the World Cup 2023. Paine speculated that there wasn’t that much difference between Brook and Stokes as batters and called England joint favourites with India.
“I don’t know, he’s (Stokes) not bowling. Harry Brook or Ben Stokes? As a bat. It would be very close, very, very close.”
“Probably (England are now favourites), them and India. I think the Aussies if they can get hot (they can also win),” Tim Paine added.
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