Ben Stokes, the England all-rounder, on Monday (18 July) announced his decision to retire from ODI cricket.

Stokes, 31, said the first ODI between England and South Africa in Durham on Tuesday would be his last in the format, adding that it was "an incredibly tough decision".

After making his ODI debut against Ireland in 2011, Stokes has scored 2919 runs, including three centuries, and taken 74 wickets in the format.

The highlight remains his match-winning effort in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, when his unbeaten 84* helped send the match to the Super Over, which England clinched.  

Stokes was recently appointed as the captain of the England Men's Test side after Joe Root stepped down, a call which played a massive role in his decision. 

Under his leadership, England completed a 3-0 clean sweep at home against New Zealand and then won the fifth rescheduled Test against India. 

Stokes had also taken a break from international cricket in July last year to prioritise his mental well-being. He returned to international cricket during the 2021-22 Ashes in Australia. 

Stokes said in a statement: "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.

"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% of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it."

Stokes has only featured in nine ODIs since England's World Cup triumph against New Zealand at Lord's in 2019, with workload management gaining priority. "Three formats are just unsustainable for me now," he said.

"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.

"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."

Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, paid tribute to Stokes. "I know this must have been a tough decision, but I completely understand why he has reached this conclusion," said Key.

“I’m sure that when we look back on Ben’s career and see this as one of the reasons he will play 120-plus Tests and help England in T20 matches and World Cups for many years to come.

“It is a typically selfless decision that will benefit England long-term.”

Source: International Cricket Council

BDST:2058 HRS, July 18, 2022
MN