England hopeful of convincing Stokes out of ODI retirement for World Cup defence
Matthew Mott, England’s white-ball coach, has mentioned he’s “still hopeful” that Ben Stokes may be satisfied out of his retirement from ODIs in time for England’s World Cup defence in October-November.
Stokes, England’s Test captain and the Player of the Match in the 2019 World Cup final, stop ODIs final 12 months citing an unsustainable schedule. He has been on vacation along with his household for the reason that finish of the Ashes, whereas most of his England team-mates have been enjoying within the Hundred as an alternative.
Stokes has been battling a continual left-knee harm which has flared up this 12 months and restricted his capacity to bowl. He mentioned earlier than the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval that he would have “some serious conversations with medics” in the course of the six-month break earlier than England’s subsequent Test in opposition to India in January.
England are attributable to decide a preliminary squad for the World Cup this week and also will choose squads for bilateral white-ball sequence in opposition to New Zealand and Ireland. Mott mentioned that Jos Buttler, England’s white-ball captain, can be in contact with Stokes to “see if he’s keen” to reverse his retirement.
“Jos will probably lead the way on that communication, but Ben’s pretty straight with all of us. We will see if he’s keen,” Mott instructed the Mail on Sunday newspaper in an interview.
“There has not been a clear direction on what he’s going to do yet, but we are still hopeful. I’ve always said his bowling would be a bonus, but just look at what he brings with the bat, even in the field.
“Watching him all through the entire Ashes sequence, he had such an excellent presence. He’s accomplished it for years in relation to performing in one-day cricket and so he is a useful commodity.”
Mott added that there was “a excessive probability” that Jofra Archer will be named in England’s provisional World Cup squad, despite missing the entire home summer to date through an elbow stress fracture.
“There is a excessive probability that we’ll take a danger on a confirmed performer that has accomplished it on the world stage,” Mott said in the same interview. “We are planning for him to be obtainable.
“Obviously, a lot of things have to go his way and it will be a tight timeline but with players like that you are going to give them every opportunity to prove their fitness, and so we will keep an open mind.”