World Cup winner Ben Stokes announces retirement from ODI cricket

Charlie Herbert

He will play his final game at his home ground on Tuesday

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has announced he is to retire from one-day internationals.

The all-rounder, who played a crucial part in helping England win the World Cup in 2019, will still continue to play Twenty20 cricket and lead the red-ball side.

He will play his final ODI game on Tuesday in the opening game of England’s three match series against South Africa.

The game will take place at Chester-le-Street, Durham’s ground where Stokes has all of his domestic first-class career.

In a statement on social media, the 31-year-old said that the decision to retire from ODIs had been an “incredibly tough” one to make, but that playing all three formats of the game was “just unsustainable” for him.

He continued: “Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos [Buttler, England’s ODI captain] and the rest of the team their all.

“It’s time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years.”

❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/xTS5oNfN2j

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 18, 2022

“I have loved all 104 games I have played so far, I’ve got one more, and it feels amazing to be playing my last game at my home ground in Durham.

“As always, the England fans have always been there for me and will continue to be there. You’re the best fans in the world.”

Ahead of his final game, Stokes has scored 2,919 runs and taken 74 wickets in the format. But his most memorable innings at ODI level is undoubtedly his player-of-the-match performance in the 2019 World Cup final.

Although the game is perhaps best remembered for the super over finale, Stokes hit a superb 84 not out to get his side to that point.

Stokes hit a magnificent 84 not out in the 2019 World Cup final, and was named player of the match as a result (Getty)

Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket, labelled Stokes’ decision to retire as a “typically selfless” one.

He said: “I know this must have been a tough decision, but I completely understand why he has reached this conclusion.

“I’m sure that when we look back on Ben’s career and see this as one of the reasons he will play 120-plus Tests and help England in T20 matches and World Cups for many years to come.

“It is a typically selfless decision that will benefit England long-term.”