England Test skipper Ben Stokes retires from ODI cricket

KARACHI: England's prolific all-rounder, who was recently appointed the English team's Test skipper, announced his retirement from ODI cricket.

Stokes will compete in his final ODI game on Tuesday against South Africa after declaring his retirement from the sport to concentrate on leading England's Test team and playing T20 cricket.

Taking to Twitter, the all-rounder, 31, announced his retirement.

"I will play my last game for England in ODI cricket on Tuesday in Durham. I have decided to retire from this format.

"This has been an incredibly tough decision to make. I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way," he said in a statement.

Stokes is renowned for leading England to an unexpected victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final by batting an unbeaten 84 as Eoin Morgan's team triumphed after a nail-biting extra over.

"As hard as a decision as this was to come to, it's not as hard dealing with the fact I can't give my teammates 100% of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it.

"Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. 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 and the rest of the team their all," Stokes added.

On Tuesday against South Africa, he will play his final ODI at his home stadium of Chester-le-Street.

"It's time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years. I will give everything I have to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can also give my total commitment to the T20 format," he concluded.

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