England Test captain and dynamic all-rounder Ben Stokes is open to once again returning to One-Day Internationals (ODIs) ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan next year.
Stokes, who announced his retirement from ODI cricket during the home series against South Africa in 2022, undid his decision to represent England in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The defending champions did not fare well in the tournament, suffering an early exit and finishing seventh with six points in nine matches.
Ben Stokes, who was brought out of the ODI retirement by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), however, did well with the bat as he scored 304 runs in six appearances at a brilliant average of over 50. He also scored a century in the global event.
The all-rounder has not played an ODI since England’s last ICC World Cup 2023 fixture against Pakistan.
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Meanwhile, in his recent interview with Sky Sports, Ben Stokes lauded England’s new talent, currently in action against a five-match ODI series against Australia.
“This white-ball team has gone in a new direction,” said Stokes.
“We’ve seen some unbelievable talent come through, just to point out one: Jacob Bethell, who I think is going to be a superstar.
“I’ve played a lot of white-ball cricket for England, I’m very happy and content with what I’ve achieved in that form of the game.”
The all-rounder then went on to share that if he gets a call to represent England in both white-ball teams, he would say “yes”.
“If I am part of the white-ball teams’ plans going forward in any way, shape or form then great,” said Stokes. “If I get the call, saying ‘do you want to come and play?’ It’s definitely going to be a ‘yes’,” said Stokes.
“But I’m not going to be too disappointed if I don’t because it means someone’s come in and doing really well. I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it,” he concluded.
For the unversed, Ben Stokes is set to undergo a scan for his hamstring injury next week ahead of the upcoming Test series against Pakistan.
The star all-rounder is currently nursing a hamstring injury, which he suffered in August during the The Hundred 2024.
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