'No idea': Ahead of England's last WC game, Ben Stokes gives clear-cut verdict on his ODI retirement

Ahead of the start of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, England received a huge boost when star all-rounder Ben Stokes announced that he would be reversing his retirement to make an exception for the competition. However, as things did not pan out the way England and Skokes would have wanted, the pressing query is will the 32-year-old continue with the format or the upcoming game against Pakistan would be his last ODI game.

3 things you need to know

• England had a disastrous run in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
• The defending champions lost 6 on the trot to crash out from the semi-final race
• England are still in with a chance to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

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Ben Stokes' unimpactful comeback

With the stature he holds, Ben Stokes was expected to make an impact for the defending champions from the outset. But his absence in the initial few matches and a struggle stretch in the next few could not influence England to pick off in the tournament. Nonetheless, Stokes emerged as the night owl and played significant innings against Australia and Netherlands. He will likely feature against Pakistan, a contest which is seen as the one that will close the remarkable ODI chapter of Ben Stokes.

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Ben Stokes on his future in ODI format

Speaking ahead of the game, Ben Stokes addressed the query and made it known that he is not sure whether the PAK match will put a full stop to his ODI career.

“I’ve no idea,” Stokes said as quoted by Belfast Telegraph. Elaborating on the same, the England Test captain stated that there will is a conversation due with the concerned members, but did not give a timeline for when the final decision will be made. “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 surgery. 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.”