Ben Stokes returns to England ODI squad forward of World Cup defence
Ben Stokes, England’s Test captain and hero of their 2019 World Cup triumph, has reversed his choice to retire from 50-over cricket forward of the group’s defence of their title in India this autumn, and can make his comeback for the lads’s ODI squad within the forthcoming collection in opposition to New Zealand.
Stokes, 32, stood down from the 50-over format last summer, claiming that it was unsustainable for him to offer his finest throughout all three codecs of the sport, and that the “England shirt deserves nothing less” than 100% dedication.
However, given his starring roles within the finals of each the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and the 20-over version in Melbourne last November, Stokes’ big-match temperament was an asset that England had been loath to do with out, with each Matthew Mott, the white-ball coach, and Jos Buttler, the captain, constant of their need to lure him again to the ODI format.
He has duly been named in a 15-man squad that Luke Wright, England’s National Selector, confirmed is the line-up that they intend on taking to India in October, the place their marketing campaign will get underway in opposition to the identical opponents, New Zealand, in a rematch of their epic ultimate at Lord’s in July 2019.
“It wasn’t really a case of changing his mind,” Wright mentioned. “He was always interested in coming back. He had to make that priority of getting through the Ashes, have a break and give the body a rest. It wasn’t a case of needing to beg him or anything like that, he was always keen, so it was actually fairly straightforward. Once his body was in a good place and he’d had a rest, he was really keen to play. We’re delighted from our point of view and I’m sure England fans and everyone can be absolutely delighted.”
Stokes will, nevertheless, characteristic as a specialist batter given the power knee damage that hampered his allround position through the Ashes. In the wake of England’s 2-2 draw within the Ashes final month, he had hinted on the prospect of knee surgical procedure forward of England’s Test tour of India within the new 12 months, however that prospect would look like off the desk for now.
“It’s not a simple one, is it?” Wright added. “He’s coming to the World Cup and we’re going to pick him as a batter. We’re always assessing that as it goes, but we won’t be pushing him to bowl unless he’s absolutely fit and raring to go. There’s still going to be a period for him to try and get this knee right but it’s obviously not an easy one.
“You know Stokesy, if ever there’s somebody for the large moments it is Ben Stokes. I feel that is what it’s – it is in all probability for him considering it is a final likelihood within the 50 overs to go and win it once more. Who higher for England to have somebody like him come again for us? He loves the large moments. We’re all simply so completely happy he is again within the squad, I do know it’s going to give a giant carry to the boys in that squad to have him again and all of us cannot wait to have him again and hopefully concerned in lifting a trophy once more for England.”
Although England do not have to name their provisional World Cup squad until September 5, with scope for further changes until September 28, Stokes is set to be one of nine survivors from the 2019 tournament, with Jonny Bairstow also in line for his first white-ball internationals since breaking his leg in September last year.
However, with another of the 2019 heroes, Jofra Archer, not yet fit for a recall despite England’s hopes that he could feature in the World Cup’s latter stages, the notable call-up is for Surrey’s Gus Atkinson, a fast bowler who was clocked at 95mph for Oval Invincibles in the Men’s Hundred last week, and who is in line to make his debut across both white-ball formats.
“First and foremost, Gus deserves to be in there,” Wright said. “I’m certain everybody’s been watching him, he is massively thrilling and he is been excellent, not simply within the Hundred but additionally how he is gone within the Blast. He roughed me up on a couple of events once I was nonetheless enjoying and marked my card. He’s an actual asset for us and we’re delighted to offer him a chance.”
Although Wright confirmed that Archer is expected to travel with the World Cup squad as a reserve, he acknowledged that had to be a “obligation of care” in managing his return for a long-term elbow injury, not to mention the back stress fracture that ruled him out of the 2022 season.
“Regarding the World Cup, sadly we’re simply operating out of time,” Wright said. “He’s not going to come back spherical fairly shortly sufficient particularly for the primary a part of the World Cup. There is an obligation of care with him, we’ve to make it possible for long-term we get it proper, as a result of we see him as an enormous asset for a very long time. As a lot because the temptation is to try to rush him in and get him in for the beginning of this World Cup, sadly we’re simply going to expire of time.”
Atkinson takes his place in an ODI pace attack that also features Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, two 2019 veterans who were in outstanding form for the Test team during the recent Ashes, as well as the left-armers David Willey (who missed the cut for 2019) and Reece Topley, who returned to action in the Hundred earlier this month, after suffering a dislocated shoulder during his maiden IPL stint in April.
The notable absentee from England’s World Cup plans is Harry Brook, their rising star throughout codecs. With Jason Roy trusted to continue his return to form after a fallow 18 months, and Joe Root’s expertise against spin making him a banker for Indian conditions despite having not played white-ball cricket since July 2022, Brook will have to make his case from the T20I squad instead.
He will be joined in that party by a number of other players who could be travelling reserves at the World Cup, most particularly Ben Duckett and Will Jacks, who is currently behind both Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone in the spin-bowling allrounder stakes.
Rehan Ahmed, Adil Rashid’s likely successor as England’s premier legspinner, is also in the T20I squad, as is Hampshire’s uncapped pace bowler, John Turner, whose dismissal of Bairstow in a fiery display for Trent Rockets on Monday was a timely display of his credentials. Josh Tongue is also included in the 20-over set-up, and can expect a chance to make another England debut after his breakthrough summer with the Test squad.
Wright added: “We have been capable of title two extraordinarily sturdy squads that underline the depth of expertise we get pleasure from in white-ball cricket.
“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.
“We’re additionally excited to offer first worldwide call-ups to each Gus Atkinson and John Turner whereas Josh Tongue has deserved a spot within the T20 squad after impressing through the Ashes.
“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.”
England ODI squad Jos Buttler (capt), 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 (capt), 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
Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket