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With ODI World Cup all set to take place in India in just two months' time , all teams are preparing to put their best squad on the field for the marquee event. The defending champions, England is definitely one of them. But with star players like Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes to name a few already out, the English Cricket Board has a huge task in front of them in order to defend their title on the Indian soil.
Also Read: England hopes Ben Stokes returns from retirement for ODI World Cup 2023: Matthew Mott
In a big update, England Test captain Ben Stokes is set to come out of retirement ahead of the ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place in India in October - November 2023. As per a report published by British daily, ‘The Telegraph’, the premier all-rounder is likely to come out of retirement seeing the World Cup in months time.
As quoted in the report published in the English daily, “Ben Stokes is prepared to make a sensational U-turn and reverse his One-Day International retirement to help in England’s World Cup defence in India this year.” However, the source of the news still remains unidentified and comes after England head coach in white-ball formats, Matthew Mott had expressed hope of the same.
The report also quoted that the English captain might play the World Cup if he asked by the white-ball captain Jos Buttler. It can be further added that in order to play the ODI World Cup, Stokess might miss the IPL next year as he is expected to undergo a knee surgery also, seeing he get maximum opportunities to represent his country in international matches.
Stokes to play as specialist batter: Report
The report by The Telegraph further states that the 2019 Player of the Match from the final is likely to play a specialist role if he agrees to come out of retirement. “Stokes is likely to bat in the middle order for England ODI side. Amid fears of how much bowling he could do, England are prepared to pick him as specialist batsman, replicating the role he performed at stages during this summer’s Ashes series,” the report stated as quoted by India Today.
Notably, England will start their ODI World Cup campaign against New Zealand in what was the final of the last edition on October 5 in Ahmedabad.
