Will Ben Stokes come out of ODI retirement for World Cup 2023? All-rounder answers

England Test captain Ben Stokes has recently opened up about returning to ODI cricket.

Ever since his performance in the T20 World Cup final last year, there has been speculation about Stokes' potential comeback to the ODI format. Even when he was asked about it in November 2022, the all-rounder stated, "Who knows how I might feel towards a World Cup at the time but it at the moment I'm not even thinking about that".

However, Stokes has confirmed now that he is not returning to the ODI format and will be taking a break after the Ashes series. 

"I'm retired. I'm going on holiday after this game and that's as far as I'm thinking," Stokes stated, as quoted by the ICC.

Ben Stokes also added that he would be undergoing knee surgery right after the Ashes series. The all-rounder has been suffering from chronic knee tendonitis for a long time now. The injury has prevented him from bowling in recent matches. 

Stokes hurt his knee during a Test match against New Zealand earlier this year. Though he was a part of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023, Stokes featured only in a couple of matches before leaving for the Ashes. Now that the Test match will end soon and since he is not a part of ODIs, this is the best time for the all-rounder to get under the knife. 

Ben Stokes gives an update on his knee injury

Talking about his injury, Ben Stokes said that he would be going through the process soon and is seeing the doctor to get things done. 

"It's something I obviously want to get sorted," Stokes said.

“The times in which I've seen specialists and stuff like that there has been cricket around. So, as it's been manageable, we've just cracked on but I think that is a good time to have some serious conversations with medics around what is potentially something I could do to get a role in which I can bowl without having to worry about my knee. Those are conversations we will be able to have in that time off," he added.

England suffered heartbreak after the fourth Test ended in a draw because of rain. England was in a good position to win the Test match, but the rain had played the spoilsport for the team. Since the match ended in the draw, Australia had retained the Ashes series as they are already in the lead at 2-1. The final match of the series will take place at the Oval on July 27.