After the 4th Ashes Test in Manchester was cancelled last week, the England Test squad experienced sadness. With Australia ahead 2-1 after the outcome, England was unable to keep the urn. The washout was a tough setback to Stokes and company because they had been the more dominant team across the Manchester Test and were still in control of the match with five Australian wickets left during the second innings and a 61-run advantage.
When both teams return for the series’ final Test at The Oval, England will be looking to conclude it on a positive note. However, their skipper Stokes made a comment that, although perhaps not shocking, will nonetheless leave England supporters disappointed.
I’m going on holiday after this game and that’s as far as I’m thinking: Ben Stokes
The English media had reported in recent months that Stokes would be inclined to reverse his decision to retire from playing in ODIs and make himself eligible for participation in the 2023 World Cup, which is slated to be held in India.
After Stokes’ match-winning effort against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup final a year ago, rumours of his potential ODI comeback gained momentum. Stokes himself had really declined to confirm whether he would make the U-turn while leaving open the possibility. He had said in November, “… who knows how I might feel towards a World Cup at the time. Going to a World Cup is an amazing thing to do, to represent your country. But at the moment I’m not even thinking about that.”
Ben Stokes was asked about his ODI plans with the World Cup in India looming large. He said, “I’m retired. I’m going on holiday after this game and that’s as far as I’m thinking.”
The English all-rounder spoke about how injury has played a major part in his career. He said, “It’s something I obviously want to get sorted. The times in which I’ve seen specialists and stuff like that there has been cricket around. So, as it’s been manageable, we’ve just cracked on.”
Fans react to Ben Stokes’ remarks on coming back to ODI cricket:
Ben Stokes said, "I remain retired from the ODIs and will not reverse it". (Telegraph). pic.twitter.com/B1rIMPy4Uf
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 26, 2023
ECB to Stokes –pic.twitter.com/IYFobeWKby
— omkar (@_Satyanweshi_) July 26, 2023
Retired From ODIs So That He Can Fully Contribute in Test , T20Is , IPL and The Hundred .
— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) July 26, 2023
Come on Stokesy England needs you ?
— Rahul (@77of96) July 26, 2023
Come back in Odi Stokes ??
— Tyson (@tyson_cr7) July 26, 2023
Should have played this wc atleast
— Harsh Das (@Harrshhh_) July 26, 2023
That decreses Eng's chances to win by atleast 50% already ?
— Saif Ali (@_SaifAli10) July 26, 2023
Good then no one will save England from India in WC Final ?
— Om Pandey_45? (@iamompandey) July 26, 2023
He had the best possible ending to his WC career, so understandable..
— `R (@ryandesa_7) July 26, 2023
Please ?????????
You was our main hero in last wc ? please come back— Akshayyyy (@AkshayyMahadik) July 26, 2023
but I still feel ECB will convince him anyhow for WC
— ?????? (@a_gaurav19) July 26, 2023
Relief for spirit of the game, and Nz obv
— meet patel ? (@meetptlx) July 26, 2023
