The England Test captain, Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals.
The upcoming fixture against South Africa of the home bilateral series on Tuesday, July 19 will be the all-rounder’s last game in the 50-over format. Stokes will continue to play T20Is for England.
The iconic English cricketer was last seen donning the England jersey in an ODI game in the third match against India on Sunday. The New Zealand-born cricketer featured for England in 104 ODI games so far and amassed 2,871 runs with a batting average of 40.43. The southpaw registered three centuries and 21 half-centuries with a top score of 102. With the ball, the cricketer gathered 74 wickets. Â
Stokes played an instrumental role in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph. His unbeaten 84 in the final along with some handy runs in the super over helped England clinch their maiden World Cup.
The decision of taking retirement came after Stokes was appointed as the captain of the England team for the Test format last month.
While making the announcement of the retirement, Stokes said, “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 team-mates 100 per cent of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it.
“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.
“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.”