Jos Buttler, the captain of England’s white-ball cricket team, disclosed the timeline of events leading to all-rounder Ben Stokes’ decision to reverse his retirement from ODI cricket. Stokes chose to make himself available for the World Cup in India later this year, a decision he arrived at approximately a week or ten days after the conclusion of the Ashes series.
Earlier this week, Stokes surprised cricket enthusiasts by announcing his comeback to ODI cricket, reversing his decision from last year, and making himself available for England’s upcoming series against New Zealand on home soil. This development ensures Stokes’ participation in the side’s endeavor to defend their World Cup title in India.
Addressing the circumstances that led to this decision, Buttler remarked, “I just left it to him to come to me if he wanted to come back. Any time a player of his quality is available again is fantastic. We’re delighted to welcome him back. It was Ben’s call. You all know Ben pretty well by now — I don’t think anyone talking to him would persuade him. We had some conversations quite a while ago about it.”
Despite discussions before the Ashes series, Stokes had consistently maintained his retirement stance from ODIs. However, after the final match of the Ashes series at The Oval, which England won to draw the series 2-2 with Australia, Stokes made the decision to reverse his previous declaration and participate in the ODI World Cup.
Stressing Stokes’ independent decision-making, Buttler added, “Ben is very much his own man, he makes his own decisions. I’ve played with him for a very long time, I’m good friends with him. Me badgering him and saying, ‘come back, come back’ is not really the way things work with Ben.”
Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes are notable figures in England’s cricket history, having played pivotal roles in the team’s World Cup victories in 2019 and 2022. Emphasizing the significance of Stokes’ return, Buttler stated, “I don’t think you need me to tell you what Ben Stokes brings to a team. I’m very happy. I’m delighted if he feels ready to come back, and any time you can welcome him back into the team is great.”
As someone driven by competitiveness and a desire to excel in an England jersey, Stokes’ decision to participate in a World Cup aligns with his ambitions. The disclosure of the timeline behind Stokes’ choice adds a layer of insight into the team dynamics and preparation leading up to the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup.
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