Ben Stokes retires from ODI format, shares heartfelt message

Sports

The all-rounder for England has stated that his final One-Day International game will be on Tuesday against South Africa.

At the Seat Unique Riverside, where he has played 104 ODIs, Stokes will cap up his time in the international game. The Player of the Match effort in the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s will live on in the 31-year-ODI old’s career.

“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,” wrote Stokes on his Twitter.

“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 per cent of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it.”

Adding further he stated “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.”

“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. I would like to wish Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players and the support staff every success going forward. We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright,” he added.

The all-rounder further stated that playing his last game at his home ground feels amazing and he hopes for his team’s victory in the clash against the Proteas.

“I have loved all 104 games I have played so far, I’ve got one more, and it feels amazing to be playing 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. You’re the best fans in the world. I hope we can win on Tuesday and set the series up nicely against South Africa,” stated Stokes.

In the most dramatic of circumstances, England won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup after Stokes’ unbeaten 84 helped to force a Super Over.

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 last summer.