England all-rounder Ben Stokes announced on Monday that he will retire from one-day international cricket and will play his last ODI match against South Africa 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
Ben Stokes will go down as one of England’s greatest cricketers and will be fondly remembered for his Player-of-the-Match performance in the 2019 World Cup finalat Lord’s.
His unbeaten 84 helped against New Zealand send the match into a Super Over as England claimed their first World Cup title.
Sharing the news on Twitter, 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% 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 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.”
