'We Are Hopeful': England Coach On The Possibility Of Stokes Coming Out Of ODI Retirement

Ben Stokes-led English cricket team levelled the five-match Ashes 2023 series by a scoreline of 2-2. Stokes played a key role with the bat and scored a total of 405 runs from nine innings of five Tests against Australia, which included a century in the second innings of the Lord's Test. However, his performance was not enough for England to regain the coveted 'urn' after a gap of eight years. 

3 things you need to know 

• Australia retained the prestigious Ashes trophy for the fourth consecutive time 
• England came back strong after losing the first two Tests and were also in a position to win the Ashes 2023 series 
• The Manchester Test was drawn due to rain in which the hosts were in a commanding position

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Jos Buttler to speak to Ben Stokes about reconsidering ODI retirement 

(Ben Stokes during the ENG vs IND ODI series 2022 / Image: AP)

Defending ODI World Cup champions England are soon going to announce their squad for the 2023 edition of the tournament beginning from October 5, 2023, in India. The three lions will play the opening match of the competition against New Zealand which will also be a repeat of the final of the 2019 ODI World Cup. 

However, this time, England's Test captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes will not be a part of the ODI World Cup 2023, as he announced a shocking retirement from the 50-over format in July last year. Though, the English Cricket Board is trying its level best to bring the all-rounder back into the team ahead of the major ICC event. 

England's white-ball coach, Matthew Mott while speaking to Mail Sport has revealed that limited-overs format skipper Jos Buttler will soon speak to Ben Stokes about reconsidering his ODI retirement ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Mott further said that the English team management is fine if Stokes wants to make a comeback in the team as a pure batter. The English limited overs format coach said: 

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. 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.

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Matthew Mott added 

Watching him throughout the whole Ashes series, he had such a great presence. He’s done it for years when it comes to performing in one-day cricket and so he’s an invaluable commodity.

English cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman and current limited overs captain Jos Buttler is likely to lead the team in the ODI World Cup 2023. The three lions have completely changed their tactics to play in the limited overs format after they faced a humiliating knockout from the league phase of the ODI World Cup 2015. The English team is one of the prime contenders to lift the ODI World Cup trophy for the second consecutive time.