Ben Stokes reverses ODI retirement with World Cup in mind, is picked for series against New Zealand

Stokes, who won the Player of Match for a brilliant knock as England lifted the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s, had announced his retirement from ODI cricket last year, stating that playing all three formats of the game had become “unsustainable” for him given his injury woes as well as the hectic schedule.

The 32-year-old has, however, not been picked in the T20I squad. Although he hasn’t announced his retirement from the format, he has not played a single T20I for England since scoring a half-century in the 2022 T20 World Cup final against Pakistan in Melbourne last year.

Among interesting selections, Surrey pacer Gus Atkinson has been handed his maiden international call-up, having been named in both squads. John Turner has also earned his maiden call-up, having been named in the T20I squad. Pacer Josh Tongue, who impressed in recently concluded Ashes, also finds his game in the T20I team.

Atkinson has the experience of two domestic 50-over games and 14 first-class matches. He has grabbed the limelight for his speed in the ongoing season of the hundred, crossing the 90 miles per hour mark. There is no place for injury-prone fast bowler Jofra Archer in any of the squads. With Luke Wright, England Men’s National Selector, confirming that the ODI squad for New Zealand is also the provisional squad for the World Cup, Archer looks set to miss the ICC event, though Wright added that he will be part of the travelling reserves.

“The return of Ben Stokes only adds to that quality with his match-winning ability and leadership. I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again,” Wright commented about Stokes’ return.

He added about the newcomers, “We’re also excited to give first international call-ups to both Gus Atkinson and John Turner while Josh Tongue has deserved a place in the T20 squad after impressing during the Ashes. Any series against New Zealand is closely fought and will provide us with an ideal opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.”

England ODI squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes

England T20I squad: Jos Buttler (c) Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, John Turner, Luke Wood

–By A Cricket Correspondent