"Cricket is broken" - Shocked fans feel England's ODI team is in decline as Ben Stokes announces retirement from the format
England all-rounder Ben Stokes shocked the cricketing fraternity on Monday (July 18) by announcing that he will be retiring from ODI cricket. The 31-year-old will walk out for England in ODI cricket for one last time when they face South Africa in the first ODI on Tuesday, July 19, in Durham.
Stokes took an indefinite break from cricket last year citing mental health reasons. It could have probably been a sign that it was getting difficult for him to contribute as an all-rounder for England across all three formats.
Moreover, the scheduling of international games has arguably demanded way too much from cricketers who play all three formats. This is something Ben Stokes spoke about in his post on social media announcing his retirement. He said:
"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."
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❤️🏴 https://t.co/xTS5oNfN2j
Stokes concluded his post by stating:
"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. Thanks."
Twitter slams packed schedules after Ben Stokes announces ODI retirement
Fans on Twitter were shocked as they felt Ben Stokes still had a lot to offer in ODI cricket. They felt it was a sign for the ICC to address the massive mental and physical toll that a crowded international schedule is taking on cricketers.
Some fans hailed Stokes for being honest and stepping aside as he felt he wouldn't be able to give his best in this format. But they also think that without both Stokes and Eoin Morgan, it will be incredibly difficult for England to defend their ICC World Cup crown in 2023.
Managing editor of Wisden.com Ben Gardner wrote:
"'I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us.' Cricket is broken."
"I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us."
Cricket is broken. twitter.com/benstokes38/st…
Here are some more reactions to the news:
Not surprised that Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from ODIs. Like he mentioned, it's nearly impossible for anyone to sustain playing all 3 formats and do it well enough. And when you're the captain & an all rounder of a team that plays most Tests, it's even tougher.
Ben Stokes will be playing his last ODI tomorrow against South Africa. A champion player for England in this format, espcially the heroics in the 2019 World Cup Final is unforgettable.
Thank you for all the memories in ODIs, @benstokes38. https://t.co/WJon3xtIW8
Oh Ben Stokes! twitter.com/englandcricket…
Disastrous for England. They’ve lost two quality middle order bats (LHB ones) who could pace their innings well. They are gonna find the next WC very hard in Asian conditions twitter.com/criccrazyjohns…
This could be a clear sign that Stokes in the IPL is a stretch in the coming years. I expected it the minute he was appointed Test captain and in a bid to keep himself going I won't be surprised if he doesn't turn up for the IPL either #ENGvSA
Woah! Ben Stokes retires from ODIs with tomorrow's game set to be his last. Who would have seen that coming! Body blow to England given his experience and skill but it must have been well thought out keeping his future in mind. Very sad as a fan though :( #ENGvSA
twitter.com/CricCrazyJohns…Ye to shuru hone se pehle hi khatam hogaya 😭 twitter.com/CricCrazyJohns…
Why? He has been absolute rock pillar for English team in ODI format so far.
Must be with his mental well being than workload..
Top bloke! twitter.com/benstokes38/st…
JUST IN: Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from ODI cricket. He will play his final game tomorrow against South Africa at his home ground. #benstokes
The Class of 2019 is getting disbanded 💔
Almost exactly a decade since Kevin Pietersen retired from both white ball formats, despite only wanting to give up ODIs. Stokes being able to go with only Tests-T20s a marker of how schedule pressure is forcing players into these decisions, but also forcing boards to accept them
You’re delusional if you think England have anyone in their “depth” who can adequately replace Ben Stokes
If I was an England fan, I would be absolutely furious (and rather want Stokes to retire from Tests rather than ODIs). This is inexplicable. [Don't give gyaan]
Ab aise 2 ODI series ke bich sirf 1 din ka gap hoga toh players retire he hoge
The man who gave us the greatest World Cup final knock of all time... Thanks for the memories Stokesy twitter.com/benstokes38/st…
If that gives us a fully mentally and physically fit Stokes with in Whites I am all for it.
Ben Stokes giving up ODIs (one of the three formats) will be the new normal I feel @benstokes38
in priority, and that too very quickly.The big boys are pulling out of ODI cricket. Sustainable or not, one of cricket's biggest stars quitting ODIs after 105 games is really bad news for ICC and cricket's stakeholders. The format is (very sadly) going 👇 in priority, and that too very quickly.
England will find it challenging to replace Stokes in the ODI setup. Always felt he was perfect for 4 post Morgan but he's walking away himself. Sam Curran should develop into a batting all-rounder but is his batting of Stokes' quality yet, I doubt it... #ENGvSA #CricketTwitter
Absolutely surprising to see Ben Stokes call it a day on ODI Cricket in his prime. But at the end of the day its his decision and respect it. Go well in the other 2 formats @benstokes38
@benstokes38 Hey Ben , I know you had to face mighty captain rohit sharma but it's ok in losing . You lost to the best so this wasn't needed neither expected
The fact England are literally playing tomorrow after a series just ended last night probably best explains that insane workload Stokes was talking about
Remember him telling - I lost the t20 wc for England in 2016 and will win one all of my own before I hang up my boots during 2017 ipl.He will go even more harder in this years t20 wc and that will be good signs for England.Go well Big Ben #Legend twitter.com/benstokes38/st…
Ben Stokes: "three formats is unsustainable right now"
Cricket administrators, listen twitter.com/benstokes38/st…
This is shocking news. England's talisman Ben Stokes has decided to retire from ODIs. Tomorrow he will play his last ODI against South Africa. However, he feels he is still committed to play T20 cricket. Man he is just 31 💔🤦🤷. But I love his honesty on his game. twitter.com/benstokes38/st…
Ben Stokes' unbeaten 84 in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand will remain one of the best knocks ever played in the format under pressure. He will continue to lead the Test team and will likely be an integral part of England's T20 World Cup ambitions.
Overall, Stokes played 104 ODIs for England. He scored 2,919 runs at an average of 39.44 with 21 half-centuries and three hundreds. The all-rounder also picked up 74 wickets with an economy rate of 6.02, recording one five-wicket haul.