NEWS
Follow UsAs expected, England’s Test captain and the Player of the Match of the 2019 World Cup final, Ben Stokes has reversed his decision to retire from the 50-over format ahead of the 2023 World Cup and has been named in England's squad for the upcoming four-match ODI series against New Zealand.
The ace allrounder, who last played an ODI in July 2022, announced his retirement from the 50-over format last year, saying playing all three formats had become "unsustainable" for him. However, considering his big-match temperament, England's white-ball coach Matthew Mott and skipper Jos Buttler have managed to convince him to make a comeback, even if it's just as a pure batter.
Stokes has been struggling with his knee for a while and it's highly unlikely he will be used as a bowler. "The return of Ben Stokes only adds to that quality with his match-winning ability and leadership. I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again," said Luke Wright, England Men's National Selector.
Meanwhile, Jofra Archer isn't match-ready yet, so England have brought in another tearaway quick into the set-up. Surrey's Gus Atkinson has been named in both ODI and T20I squads. The 25-year-old has consistently been bowling over 90 mph in the ongoing Hundred.
Sam Curran, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes are the other seamers in the ODI squad. Joe Root hasn't played an ODI since July 2022 but is now back in the mix, thanks to his impressive numbers in Indian conditions.
Dawid Malan, who made ODI hundreds in Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh during the 2022/23 English winter -- has retained his place ahead of Harry Brook, with the Yorkshire batter appearing to be the player left out to accommodate Stokes' return.
Talking about the T20I squad, England have included young legspinner Rehan Ahmed, uncapped fast bowler John Turner and Josh Tongue in the set-up. The likes of Brook, Ben Duckett and Will Jacks will also try to break into the World Cup by doing well in the T20I series.
"We're also excited to give first international call-ups to both Gus Atkinson and John Turner while Josh Tongue has deserved a place in the T20 squad after impressing during the Ashes," said Wright.
"Any series against New Zealand is closely fought and will provide us with an ideal opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world."
The four T20Is will be played from August 30th to September 5th before the ODI series gets underway from September 8.
England ODI squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
England T20I squad: Jos Buttler (c) Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, John Turner, Luke Wood.
