England coach hopeful for Stokes to 'unretire' from ODIs

The all-rounder retired from the 50-over format in July this year

By Web Desk
November 15, 2022
Ben Stokes plays a shot during ICC World Cup 2019 — ESPNcricinfo

KARACHI: England's head coach Matthew Mott is hopeful to convince all-rounder Ben Stokes to withdraw his retirement from one-day internationals ahead of the upcoming ICC 50-over World Cup, scheduled to take place in India next year.

Stokes bid adieu to ODI cricket in July this year, citing that playing all three formats was just 'unsustainable' for him. But, the batter had vowed to 'give everything' to Test cricket and his 'total commitment' to the T20 format.

The talismanic all-rounder kept his word as he delivered for the side in the recently concluded T20 World Cup final, where he smashed 52 runs in 49 balls to help England beat Pakistan to become T20 world champions.

However, Mott is hopeful that reliable Stokes could unretire as the ODI World Cup is less than a year away.

"When he spoke to me about his ODI retirement, one of the first things I said was that I'd back any decision he made," said Mott, according to Planet Sport.

"He didn't necessarily have to retire, he could just not play 50 overs for a while. I did say 'you could always unretire'. It's his decision. He'll do what's right for English cricket, and he always has,

"It's going to be a World Cup year, and we don't play much T20 cricket for a while, but it will be a decision that's up to him. The more we can get him is great. He's a world-class player," he added.

After a humiliating defeat in the Ashes series 2021-22, England appointed Stokes as their Test captain, replacing veteran batter Joe Root. His first assignment as the skipper was against New Zealand in a three-match Test series, where he led the side to a clean sweep over the Kiwis.

Mott heaped praise on the 31-year-old's Test captaincy but added that he is an integral player of the team in white-ball cricket.

"He's doing an amazing job with the Test captaincy, but he is a very big cog in the wheel when he comes back to the white ball. I can't speak more highly of the way he's been around this group."

The all-rounder will be leading the side in a three-match Test series against Pakistan, with the opening clash to take place at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from December one.

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