(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Star England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who made his return from ODI retirement to play in the World Cup 2023, recently made a statement in which he revealed that he is unsure about his future in the 50-over format.
England’s next ODI series, after the ongoing World Cup, is against the West Indies in December 2023, and it is likely that Stokes will not feature that assignment. Following the West Indies, Australia is the next team against whom England will play an ODI series in September 2024.
While discussing his future in ODI cricket, the 32-year-old stated that currently, he has no clue about his future in the format as he expects to have conversation with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on the same.
“I’ve no idea. I’m sure there will be a conversation but I don’t know when that will be. I have used the time between games here to give myself a better opportunity after the knee surgery,” Stokes was quoted as saying by Belfast Telegraph.
Despite dedicated efforts in the gym, Stokes acknowledged the disparity between physical training and the demands of the game on the field. He emphasized that while he feels physically better than when he arrived in India for the World Cup 2023, match fitness involves a different set of challenges.
“All the work in the gym doesn’t compare to what you go through out there. I’m looking forward to getting it sorted and not having to worry like I have these past 18 months. From a physical point of view I’m better off than when I first got out here, but physical fitness and cricket fitness are two different things,” he added.
Stokes is leaving India on a high personally, ending the tournament with a hundred and a fifty.