‘Ek humara Hardik hai jiske form ne retirement le li hai’ – Fans react as Ben Stokes makes comeback in ODI cricket for upcoming World Cup 2023

Star England allrounder and Test skipper Ben Stokes made a comeback from his retirement in ODI cricket. The decision comes just before the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. Stokes is set to participate in the marquee tournament and would like to continue his dominance with the bat and ball. It’s worth noting that Stokes played a crucial role in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph.

Ahead of the marquee event, Stokes will participate in the ODI series against New Zealand starting on September 8. With his comeback, England would be keen to retain the trophy. The Kiwis will be on a white-ball tour in England from August 30–31, starting with a three-match T20I series. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced the squad for the upcoming series, which includes Stokes.

On July 19, 2022, Stokes participated in his last ODI for England, facing South Africa. Throughout his career, Stokes played 90 innings. He achieved three centuries and 21 fifties, accumulating a total of 2,924 runs at an average of 38.98 and a strike rate exceeding 95 in these games. His performance in the format also involved his bowling skills. He took a total of 74 wickets and achieved his best figures of 5/61 in the format.

England includes young players in its T20I squad

Under the leadership of Jos Buttler, England will face New Zealand in a four-match T20I series starting on August 30. For the tour, England announced three young players who are yet to make their debut in the shortest format of the game. The players are Josh Tongue, Atkinson, and John Turner. It’s worth noting that, during the recently concluded Men’s Ashes Series earlier this summer, Tongue made his national debut. While Turner, the right-arm bowler from Hampshire, secures his place in the England squad for the first time.

Speaking about the comeback of Ben Stokes, England’s national selector said that Stokes adds to the quality of the squad. He said, “We have been able to name two extremely strong squads that underline the depth of talent we enjoy in white-ball cricket. The return of Ben Stokes only adds to that quality with his match-winning ability and leadership. I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again.”

England’s squad for New Zealand series: 

ODI squad for New Zealand series and Provisional World Cup squad: Jos Buttler (capt), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes

T20I squad for the New Zealand series: Jos Buttler (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, John Turner, Luke Wood

Here is how fans reacted to Ben Stokes’ comeback: