Ben Stokes comes out of ODI retirement as England announces white-ball squads for New Zealand series

Ben Stokes announced his retirement from ODIs last July.

Ace England all-rounder Ben Stokes has come out of retirement from ODIs, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) included him in the England squad for the upcoming New Zealand series at home.

Stokes had retired from ODIs during the India series last year to manage his workload due to his troublesome knee. But recently, England white-ball coach Matthew Mott revealed that Ben Stokes will be approached by England captain Jos Buttler about leaving his ODI retirement and competing in the 2023 World Cup in India.

Stokes was reportedly persuaded to come out of retirement by Buttler, as evidenced by his inclusion in the England and Wales Cricket Board’s team for the New Zealand ODI series.

England Men’s National Selector, Luke Wright, 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.”

Uncapped Gus Atkinson named in England squads for New Zealand series

One notable call-up is for Surrey’s Gus Atkinson, a fast bowler who was clocked at 95 kmph for the Oval Invincibles in the Men’s Hundred last week and who is in line to make his debut across both white-ball formats.

On the other hand, Harry Brook’s name was missing from the ODI series, while Rehan Ahmed was named in the T20I squad, as was Hampshire’s uncapped pace bowler, John Turner.

“We’re also excited to give first international call-ups to both Gus Atkinson and John Turner while Josh Tongue has deserved a place in the T20 squad after impressing during the Ashes. ny series against New Zealand is closely fought and will provide us with an ideal opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world,” Wright added.

England is set to play four ODIs and four T20Is against New Zealand, starting with the T20Is from August 30 onward. The four T20Is will be played on August 30 in Chester-Le-Street, on September 1 in Manchester, on September 3 in Birmingham, and on September 5 in Nottingham.

The ODIs will be played on September 8 in Cardiff, on September 10 in Southampton, on September 13 at the Oval, and on September 15 at the Lord’s.

England ODI 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

England T20I squad: 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

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