Ben Stokes’ decision to come out of retirement from one-day international cricket was met with praise by England’s limited-overs skipper Jos Buttler, who called Stokes a “superstar.”
Last year, Stokes called it quits on his career in 50-over cricket due to worries about his grueling workload as well as a condition with his knee.
However, earlier this month the England Test captain made public his intention to resume playing one-day international cricket. He has now been nominated to the squad for the next series against New Zealand, which will take place just before the World Cup in India begins in October.
Buttler said that he was “delighted” to have Stokes back in the fold after England became world champions in both forms of the white-ball game. England will play the Black Caps in a total of eight matches, including four T20s and four ODIs.
Buttler was quoted as saying, “It’s excellent news on all fronts.” “Having a superstar like Ben Stokes competing in the World Cup is fantastic for the sport of cricket.
“It’s wonderful that he’s made himself available because you really want to watch those players compete in those important showpiece events.
When a player of that caliber becomes available once more, it should go without saying that you want them back on your squad as soon as possible.
Stokes was an integral part of England’s success at the 2019 World Cup. He scored an unbroken 84 during England’s match against New Zealand in the championship game, and then he and Buttler both shone during the Super Over.
“When you look at the impact he has in every game he plays really, but especially in the last couple of World Cups (including the 2022 T20 World Cup), he’s the man in the middle with the crucial moment,” said Buttler. “You look at the impact he has in every game he plays really.”
“We couldn’t be happier to have him back with us. It’s not just the cricket that he contributes to the group; it’s everything else that he does.”
Buttler stated that he reached his decision after the conclusion of the most recent Ashes series, which ended in a tie for 2-2. All-rounder Stokes, who is 32 years old, will be returning to the ODI squad as a specialist hitter.
“He said he’d be available as a hitter, and that was enough for me to just say “great, can’t wait to have you back,” said Buttler. “He said he’d be available as a batter.”
On Wednesday, England will play the first match of the 20-over portion of the series against New Zealand at Chester-le-Street.
On September 8, the inaugural one-day international will be played in Cardiff.
Buttler is looking forward to what he calls a “great test” against the Black Caps, despite the fact that England is playing with one eye on the World Cup later this year.
“It’s great to be back together as a squad having not played together since Bangladesh in March,” he remarked, adding that it had been since that time that they had last competed together.
“It’s very exciting stuff on the horizon, obviously with the World Cup in India, but we start with the T20 series here against New Zealand, which we’re determined to do well in,” the captain said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
“Of course, I suppose the one-day internationals against New Zealand are the primary focus at this point. I believe that they will serve as an excellent trial for us in the lead up to the World Cup.”