England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ participation in the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup opener against New Zealand, on Thursday, October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, is in doubt. The England management will take a call on his participation after England’s practice session on the eve of the match.
Jos Buttler confirmed that Ben Stokes has a hip niggle and is uncertain to play the World Cup opener. He added that they won’t risk the all-rounder’s fitness Stokes at the start of the tournament. Stokes announced his decision to reverse his retirement from ODI cricket recently to represent England at the World Cup.
“He has got a slight niggle in his hip. Fingers crossed that it’ll be good news for us. He is working hard with the physios and we will know more when the guys arrive for training today. We will make the right call: if he is not fit to play, he is not fit to play. He is definitely not ruled out and if we have to take risks, we will take it in the latter half of the tournament,” said Jos Buttler at the Captain’s meet on Wednesday.
England’s squad for the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023
Team England will be heading into the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 as the defending champions. They defeated New Zealand in the 2019 edition to lift their maiden ODI World Cup title. Jos Buttler will be leading the England 15-member squad in the upcoming marquee tournament. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes, who is returning from retirement is his deputy.
England’s squad for the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023: Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes (Vice-Captain), Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
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