England Cricket Board announced the provisional 15-member squad for ODI World Cup 2023 on August 17, where the former ODI captain Ben Stokes has been included in the squad. England cricketer Ben Stokes who was part of the team that won the World Cup 2019, announced his ODI retirement in July 2022.
Buttler opens on Ben Stokes’ return for ODI World Cup
Months ahead of the grand World Cup 2023, Ben Stokes decides to make a U-Turn from his ODI retirement and confirms to play in the World Cup 2023. While many were stunned by the decision, his teammate Jos Buttler reveals the reason behind his decision.
England captain Jos Buttler said that Ben Stokes’s return from ODI retirement was purely his decision and have nothing to do with team management. Ben Stokes reversed his decision earlier this week on his ODI retirement and was named in England’s provisional World Cup Squad.
After Ashes 2023, Stokes was thinking about discussing his decision with Jos Buttler. The England Cricket Board did not want to interfere in this issue and left the matter to the skipper. With many discussions, Ben Stokes has been included in the World Cup squad.
“To be honest, it was Ben’s call,” Buttler said. “You all know Ben pretty well by now – I don’t think anyone talking to him would persuade him.
“We had some conversations quite a while ago about it and just left it to him to come to me, basically, if he wanted to come back. We’re delighted that he feels ready to come back and any time you can welcome him back into the team is great.
“Ben is very much his own man, he makes his own decisions. I’ve played with him for a very long time, I’m good friends with him. Me badgering him and saying ‘Come back, come back’ is not really the way things work with Ben. He very much makes up his own mind and decides.
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“We had some conversations around it and just left it in his court. I’m sure the lure of playing in a World Cup is quite big for someone as competitive and as driven as he is to play in an England shirt. I’m delighted he felt up to it and could come back.”
He announced his ODI retirement last year as the main reason was supposed to be workload management. With his knee injury, Stokes was clear on using the break between Ashes and ODI series against India.
He will be playing as a specialist batter but his bowling techniques on breaking the partnerships will be a disadvantage for the team. But his presence will bring unbelievable stability to the batting order. Stokes’s ability to raise as a batter and in the field will increase the chances of England defending their title.
“I don’t think you need me to tell you what Ben Stokes brings to a team,” Buttler said. “It’s fantastic to have Ben back available. Any time a player of his quality is available again is fantastic. We’re delighted to welcome him back.”
England is set to face New Zealand in the first match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium on October 5.
