2019 World Cup winner Ben Stokes announces retirement from ODIs

By Bibhu Ray

(The Quiver) : On Monday, England star all-rounder and 2019 World Cup final hero Ben Stokes made a surprise call of retiring from One-day internationals, saying playing three formats has unsustainable for him.

The 31-year old Stokes will play his last ODI against South Africa at his home ground in Durham on Tuesday.

Stokes who is England’s Test captain, has scored 2919 runs in 104 ODIs and taken 74 wickets to his name.

His ODI career will be forever remembered for his player of the match performance in the World Cup final against New-Zealand at the Lord’s three years ago. His unbeaten 84 helped send the match into Super over as England claimed their first 50-over World Cup title in the most breathtaking fashion.

Clare Conner, interim ECB CEO, called Stokes an “inspirational figure” and hailed him for his memorable performance in the World Cup final in 2019. Ben Stokes has had an incredible career in ODI cricket, culminating his performance in the WC final at Lord’s. Managing Director of England cricket Rob Key said.”I have loved all 104 games I have played so far, I’ve got one more, it feels amazing to be playing my last game at my home ground in Durham”.

“I would like to thank Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players and the support staff every success going forward. Our future looks bright in ODIs.”

“Three Formats is 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 also feel that I am taking a place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team their all.”Stokes said.

“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.”