England hopes to ‘unretire’ Stokes in time for 50-over World Cup

E-Paper | December 05, 2025

England hopes Ben Stokes might reconsider his retirement from one-day internationals (ODI) and help the team defend their 50-over World Cup title next year.

The talismanic all-rounder — who batted England to victory in the T20 World Cup final against Pakistan on Sunday — retired from one-day cricket in July, citing the “unsustainable” rigour of playing all formats.

England coach Matthew Mott said that test captain Stokes would be welcomed back to the ODI squad with open arms.

“When he spoke to me about his ODI retirement one of the first things I said was that I’d back any decision he made, but I said to him he didn’t necessarily have to retire, he could just not play 50-overs for a while,” Mott told British media.

“And I said: ‘You could always unretire’. That’s his decision. It’s going to be a World Cup year and we don’t play much T20 cricket for a while, but it will be up to him. The more we can get him is great,” he added.

Stokes was also the hero of England’s maiden 50-over World Cup triumph in 2019 when he hit an unbeaten 84 in the tense final win over New Zealand.

England would be defending their 50-over title in India in October/November next year.

Cricket

Sport

England’s Ben Stokes criticises ‘stupid’ boundary markers after Reece Topley injury

England’s Ben Stokes announces shock ODI retirement

Experts fear Shaheen Afridi’s career in jeopardy, criticise PCB’s medical panel

Ghaznavi

Nov 15, 2022 12:46pm

With the current form that English team is. It will be hilarious to see them winning world cup in India their former colony in current times where the right wing fractions are ruling. Will be fun to watch come on England or for that matter come ON Pakistan

Recommend 0

Mansur Ul Haque

Nov 15, 2022 01:03pm

England is white ball champion.Stokes have pivot roll to bring England this level.But it is clear,in modern days,very difficult to repeat your performance.Players are important but analyst/strategists also equally important. Stokes might be asked to delay his decision for retirement but repeating past performance if not impossible will be difficult.Your every move come under scrutiny and plans are made accordingly. Stokes better enjoy your retirement rather facing humiliation of defeat.

Recommend 0

Shahid

Nov 15, 2022 01:44pm

Stokes was just lucky to get away with it in the final. He was beaten a hundred times in the final.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 15, 2022 02:19pm

Unlike the Asian and African cricketers, who never want to retire and continue their careers unless and until they are physically and virtually thrown out of the cricket arena, here is the opposite example of an English cricketer cum skipper, who is getting pressure from the public, peers, pals, associates, teammates as well as the cricket board to undo his retirement for the sake of his nation and people.

Recommend 0

Rangamaru

Nov 15, 2022 02:33pm

@Ghaznavi, beware Zimbabwe is also there

Recommend 0

Average

Nov 15, 2022 08:04pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, First time I have read a wide comment from you in a decade. It’s a good start but carry on.

Recommend 0

sam

Nov 16, 2022 12:28am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, your own shahid afridi was a prime example for this..

Recommend 0

sam

Nov 16, 2022 12:29am

@Average , and most important he wrote a note that makes sense for the first time.. Keep it up Dr Salaira

Recommend 0

Salman

Nov 16, 2022 11:35am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, can you blame them for not retiring from the cricket? What are they supposed to do after retirement. Just sing, cricket, cricket, cricket and do not eat. Especially, when the coaches of their teams become foreign cricketers.

Recommend 0