England all-rounder Ben Stokes has decided to retire from ODI cricket after the South Africa series. As England's talismanic cricketer announces retirement cricket fraternity showered him with praise for his 11 years of service in fifty overs cricket. England Cricket Board's interim CEO, Clare Connor lavished praise on him. Stokes on Monday announced that he will be playing his last ODI match on Tuesday, which will be against South Africa.
We were worried about TEST cricket's future but the future of ODI looks uncertain! In future we may see many crickets preferring to move away from this format. #SomethingToThinkAbout #CricketTwitter
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) July 18, 2022
___ ______ __ ____, ___ ______! ___
_______'s World Cup hero Ben Stokes announces retirement from ODI cricket! He will be playing his last match against __ tomorrow. _#BenStokes #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/NpBtgCSENk
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) July 18, 2022
Ben Stokes. ODIs. It's been an honour. __ pic.twitter.com/PxAekj9vE5
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) July 18, 2022
11 years and countless ODI memories __
Thank you, @benstokes38 _ pic.twitter.com/TroqvkZwsw
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 18, 2022
_ BREAKING NEWS _
Ben Stokes will retire from ODI cricket following tomorrows game at Durham.
Won us the World Cup, job done _ pic.twitter.com/2nJd6UVgIs
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) July 18, 2022
"Ben Stokes is a superstar in every format of our game. His remarkable contribution to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Final at Lord's in 2019 enabled England Men to win that prestigious trophy for the first time," said Clare Connor in an official statement.
"Ben is not only one of the world's best players but an inspirational figure too so our ODI team will miss him. But having taken on the Test captaincy and with today's busy calendar of cricket, we completely understand and respect his decision. We look forward to watching him excite and enthral in an England shirt for many years to come," he added.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Rob Key calls Stokes' decision a 'selfless' one.
"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," said Rob. "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," he added.
Stokes has played 104 ODI matches and is set to end his international career in the format on his home ground at the Seat Unique Riverside. The 31-year-old's ODI career will forever be remembered for his Player-of-the-Match performance in the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final at Lord's. Since he announced his retirement, tributes have been pouring in from around the world, praising the all-rounder for his contribution to the game.
Virat Kohli commented on Ben Stokes' retirement post, "You are the most competitive bloke I have ever played against. Respect". "From featuring in an ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup in 2010 to becoming an ICC Men's @cricketworldcup champion in 2019. A special ODI player, and what a career! Thank you, @benstokes38!" International Cricket Council tweeted. England Cricket took to Twitter to thank the all-rounder for his contribution and wrote, "11 years and countless ODI memories Thank you, @benstokes38."
"Ben Stokes. ODIs. It's been an honour," tweeted Rajasthan Royals. His fellow teammate Stuart Broad commented on Stokes' post, "That pic. Enjoy Tuesday mate." England batter Sam Billings also commented on the all-rounder's post, "Niiiiice playerrrr. Enjoy Tuesday."
Stokes' unbeaten 84 helped to send the match into a Super Over as England claimed their first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup title in the most thrilling of circumstances. After making his ODI debut against Ireland in 2011, Stokes has scored 2919 runs, including three centuries, and taken 74 wickets.
He captained the ODI side during last summer's victory against Pakistan by 3-0 and has been an inspirational leader.
