England all-rounder Ben Stokes is ready to come out of retirement from ODI cricket to represent the country in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. England will be defending the title in the upcoming mega-event, which is all set to take place from October 5 in India, with the final on November 19 at Ahmedabad.
Ben Stokes announced his retirement from ODIs in July 2022. However, according to a report by The Telegraph, the all-rounder will be making a comeback for the World Cup if asked by the skipper Jos Buttler. In this case, he might miss the 2024 Indian Premier League leaving his ₹16.25 crore contract with Chennai Super Kings. He is likely to undergo knee surgery during the Indian Premier League next year and will need to give himself enough time to recover before taking the field.
England prepared to play Ben Stokes as a specialist batter – Reports
According to the Telegraph report, England is prepared to play Stokes as a specialist batter in the middle order if he can’t bowl. The all-rounder also did not bowl much in the 2023 Ashes owing to knee-injury concerns. He played a principal role in the final of the 2019 ODI World Cup, winning the maiden title for England, scoring an unbeaten 98-ball 84.
Ben Stokes last played an ODI for England in July 2019 against South Africa. He has a terrific record for England in the format. In 105 ODIs, he has scored 2924 runs at an average of 38.98, including three centuries. The medium-pacer also has 74 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in his ODI career.
England will play a five-match ODI series at home against New Zealand starting on Friday, September 8 in Cardiff. They will also play three ODIs against Ireland before the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. These series will serve as a preparation for the defending champions heading into the mega-event. They will kick off their campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup against New Zealand on Thursday, October 5 in Ahmedabad.
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