ISLAMABAD, July 18 ( Alliance News): Ben Stokes, the legendary all-rounder who made England the world champion for the first time in the history of cricket in the World Cup 2019 and the captain of the Test team, has announced his retirement from one-day cricket.
In a statement on social networking website Instagram, Ben Stokes said, “I will be playing my last one-dayer for England on Tuesday in Durham.”
The English captain said, “I have decided to step away from this format. It was a very difficult decision for me because I enjoyed every moment playing for England with my teammates and our journey was wonderful.”
He said that this decision was not difficult in the sense that in fact I was not able to give my 100 percent in this format and now all the three formats are a source of uncertainty for me.
According to the report of the news agency AFP, the ODI against South Africa in Durham will be the last match of Ben Stokes’ career.
England Test captain Ben Stokes is famous for his memorable performance in the World Cup 2019 final against New Zealand at Lord’s Cricket Ground where he played a pivotal role in England becoming the first ever world champions.
Ben Stokes represented his team in this style only 9 times after the World Cup due to injuries and other problems.
The 31-year-old legendary all-rounder will play his last ODI against South Africa on Tuesday, but will continue his Test cricket career as captain and T20.
Ben Stokes made his ODI debut against Ireland on August 25, 2011 in Dublin and so far has scored 2,919 runs and taken 74 wickets in 104 matches.
England and Wales Cricket Board Managing Director Rob Kay paid tribute to Ben Stokes, saying that Stokes’ one-day career has been brilliant and the performance in the World Cup final was exemplary.
Ben Stokes’ decision comes after England were beaten 1-2 by India in the ODI series, in which he scored 48 runs and bowled just 3 overs in the three matches.
It should be noted that Ben Stokes was appointed as the captain of England’s Test team after the resignation of Jurot in April this year.