England Test skipper Ben Stokes took a U-Turn on his retirement early this month. He retired from the ODI format, citing workload and a cramped schedule at the highest level. Not to forget, Stokes was adamant about not taking his retirement back till the Ashes 2023 last month. However, with less than two months left in the ODI World Cup, the Durham player decided to reconsider his decision.
A while back, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced their provincial squad for the tournament. Harry Brook has been left to accommodate Stokes. Also, the left-hander will play as a specialist batter. Meanwhile, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo, former England Test skipper Joe Root explained why the team needed a player like Stokes in the defense of their WC title.
"You know every other international team is looking thinking, 'Damn, I thought we got rid of him!' At the same time, it fills the rest of the squad with confidence, knowing you've got a proven match-winner who will always seek out those big moments.
"You look at the two World Cup finals we won, and he won for us. Even the one we lost against West Indies in 2016, he still took on the big moment - he wanted that final over. To be able to come back from that in the manner that he has and deliver some of the things he has done in an England shirt is a testament to what a legend he is in the game. Probably, I think, the best player we've ever produced as a country."
I have nothing to do with Ben Stokes' comeback: Joe Root
The right-hander added that he has nothing to do with Stokes' taking back his retirement
"It's got nothing to do with me! Are you joking? Did you not see my tenure as captain, the amount of times I would tell him to stop bowling and he would tell me to f*** off?! I didn't see the point in even trying!"
This is how Twitter reacted
No Ian Botham is!
— Ajay AJ (@AjayTweets07) August 22, 2023
He is From New Zealand.
— Felix Makwana (@felixmakwana) August 22, 2023
Probably their greatest overseas player.
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) August 22, 2023
Ben Stokes - King Kohli’s favorite player ❤️✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/hT0AjUB57D
— Sammy Alex M. (@alexcrypto22) August 22, 2023
New Zealand: pic.twitter.com/tTjtAWDCEm
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) August 22, 2023
Kevin Peterson better
— M. (@IconicKohIi) August 22, 2023
We have ever poached is the right word .
— Slog Sweep-189 (@SloggSweep) August 22, 2023
Joe Root also said said "Rohit Sharma is probably I think the best player India has ever produced in the country".
— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) August 22, 2023
— Sportbilly (@sportbillysays) August 22, 2023
Bro forgot 300 years of their history just to coax Stokes into the ODI wc team. pic.twitter.com/QQyaNl5I3N
— Bala⁴⁵Rohit (@bala45_rohit) August 22, 2023