“Can’t give my 100 per cent in this format”: Ben Stokes writes emotional letter as he announces ODI retirement
Monday, 18 July 2022 (18:16 IST)
London: England's 2019 World Cup star Ben Stokes announced that he will retire from One-Day Internationals following. He will play his final ODI on his home ground in Durham on Tuesday.
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.
Taking to Twitter on Monday Stokes said: "I will play my last game for England in ODI cricket on Tuesday in Durham. I have decided to retire from this format. This has been an incredibly tough decision to make. I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way.
"As hard as a decision as this was to come to, it’s not as hard dealing with the fact I can’t give my teammates 100 per cent of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it.
"Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team their all. It’s time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years.
"I will give everything I have to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can also give my total commitment to the T20 format.
"I would like to wish Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players and the support staff every success going forward. We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright.
"I have loved all 104 games I have played so far, I’ve got one more, and it feels amazing to be playing my last game at my home ground in Durham.
"As always, the England fans have always been there for me and will continue to be there. You’re the best fans in the world. I hope we can win on Tuesday and set the series up nicely against South Africa."
The 31-year-old all-rounder was the Player-of-the-Match in the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s.
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 has taken 74 wickets. He also captained the ODI side during last summer’s 3-0 Royal London Series victory against Pakistan. (UNI)
