The 2019 World Cup final delivered one of the greatest thrillers in the game’s history, and Ben Stokes was at the center of things.
With around 30,000 people going crazy in the Lord’s stadium, a guy from Durham held his nerve until the very last delivery. It was an ironic moment for him as he faced the country of his birth.
But he did enough. Even though he couldn’t get his team over the line, the 31-year-old got them on the line, snatching the game back from the kiwis. Many would argue that it wasn’t strictly the most orthodox game as it had a fair share of controversial decisions.
But no one can take away what Ben Stokes did that night. Two countries seeking the most significant prize, only one of them would be the new world champion for the first time, and all thanks to Stokes, it was England.
So, it was a surprise for everyone when he decided to retire from One-Day International cricket. It looked like a hectic decision, but it was probably a long time coming for him.
Nevertheless, the decision has shocked cricketing fans all across the globe. It is a significant loss to ODI cricket as we have lost one of the greatest all-rounders to grace the game.
The Real Reason Behind Ben Stokes’s Retirement From ODI: Why Did He Do It?
Ben Stokes’s retirement may have come as a surprise to many, but a few in the cricketing world say it was a long time coming.
On July 18, 2022, Monday, England ODI cricket would never be the same. After the Engish side lost their captain, Eoin Morgan, to retirement, the other captain also gave up on ODI cricket.
Ben Stokes, one of the greatest modern generation all-rounders, decided that the ODI cricket wasn’t for him. I reckon everybody’s first reaction probably was: Are you kidding? Because, for one, I couldn’t believe the news that I had to double-check.
At the age of 31, a lot of cricketers make their debut, but Stokes decided to retire entirely. But why? Is there something behind the scenes?
“Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team their all,” he said following his retirement.
The all-rounder added, “It’s time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years.”
“I will give everything I have to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can also give my total commitment to the T20 format. I would like to wish Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players, and the support staff every success going forward. We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright,”
We know that England’s cricketing schedule is very hectic, especially for multi-format players like Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Joe Root. But I don’t think the schedule alone has everything to do with his retirement.
Let’s address the obvious, England was playing against India in the 3-match ODI series. Ben Stokes got out in the very first ball as the team was sent packing for just 110. The all-rounder contributed just 48 runs in 3 matches in the series.
And on top of that, he played with fatigue. It was all over his face. It’s different when you are winning but often, losing changes one’s mentality.
Speaking of, the English all-rounder took an indefinite break from cricket from July 2021 to October 2021, citing mental health issues. So if we compile all these reasons, we can see why he went through with the retirement.
Nonetheless, he enjoyed a dreamy ODI career scoring 2924 runs and taking 76 wickets since he made his debut in 2011. The all-rounder played 105 matches, bagging three centuries and 21 half-centuries.
Ben Stokes Will Continue Playing Test And T20 Matches
Even though the English savior retired from ODI, he will continue to impress in T20 and Test cricket.
This proves the superiority of T20 games in modern cricket. The format is less hectic, takes a short time, and is more exciting and enjoyable for many fans. However, the ODI format is the game’s backbone and has been for decades.
Moreover, Ben Stokes has an outstanding record in Test Cricket as well. The middle-order batsman averages over 36 and has scored 5280 runs in 152 innings.
But when you talk about Ben Stokes and Test Cricket, everyone remembers the Ashes in Headingly. The all-rounder single-handedly won the game for England as he made 135* in 219 deliveries.
Moving on to T20 cricket, Stokes is regarded as one of the explosive T20 batsmen of England. Then again, most English players play similarly.
Ironically, Stokes’s most significant embarrassment came in the 2016 T20 World Cup final, where he couldn’t defend 19 runs. Carlos Braithwaite hit four sixes off the four balls to seal the game that cost England a world cup.
But the all-rounder did make up for that in the 2019 World Cup. He led England to the ODI world cup glory for the first time. The New Zealanders gave everything but didn’t have a specific “Ben Stokes” in their team. But the funny thing is they could’ve. He was born in New Zealand but later moved to England and decided to represent the latter.
What Do Experts Say About Ben Stokes’s Retirement? Was It Obvious?
Many coaches and cricketing pundits have backed Ben Stokes’s decision to retire.
Rob Key, Managing Director of England Cricket, said, “Ben Stokes has had an incredible international career in ODI cricket, culminating in his match-winning performance at the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final. I know this must have been a tough decision, but I completely understand why he has reached this conclusion.”
“I’m sure that when we look back on Ben’s career and see this as one of the reasons, he will play 120-plus Tests and help England in T20 matches and World Cups for many years to come. It is a typically selfless decision that will benefit England long-term,” Key added.
English cricketing legend Michael Vaughn tweeted, “Bi lateral ODI / T20 series will have to go if all the boards worldwide are desperate for their own Franchise tournaments !! Something has to give. It shouldn’t be players retiring from one format aged 31!!!!,”
Journalist Rory Dollard didn’t hold back his words either. He said, “Stokes’ ODI retirement – complete with very carefully worded criticism of England’s schedule – has to be the tipping point. The fixture list is complete bullsh*t, and it’s wrecking the players and the product. Enough.”
“Ben Stokes’ retirement proves that the international calendar is unsustainable,” says Australian esteemed sports reporter Nic Savage.
Who Will Replace Ben Stokes As No. 4 for England?
As of now, there’s not a single player in England that can completely replace Ben Stokes.
One of the greatest all-rounders of the game, Stokes was never short of runs. He bailed his team from the unwinnable situations for times more than one can remember.
But we have to consider the reality that Stokes is no longer available in ODI. And with Morgan gone, too, the middle order looks as inconsistent as ever.
The England Cricket team doesn’t have a scarcity of openers. There are the likes of Phil Salt, Dawid Malan, Tom Banton, Zack Crawley, Dom Sibley, and more. But the team doesn’t have a complete middle-order batsman that can anchor the innings just like Stokes and Morgan did.
If we see the series against South Africa, the board has given Phil Salt an opportunity to prove his worth to take the slot. Bear in mind that he is a compelling opener, but his success might be limited in the middle order.
But there’s one player whom England can back on, Dawid Malan. The explosive opener has garnered enough experience in the ODI format to steer the inning at a considerable pace when needed.
The left-handed batsman averages over 53 in ODIs, and he has previously batted in the No. 4 position as well. And as a No. 4 batsman, Malan has averaged above 66.
So, the stats tilt towards the fact the Dawid Malan might be the perfect No. 4 batsman in ODI following the departure of Ben Stokes. But the 34-year-old will have some legacy to keep on.