'Could not agree more' - Fans back Ben Stokes as he blames jam-packed ODI schedule for England's poor form

England Test skipper Ben Stokes hung his boots in the ODI cricket last year and played his career’s last ODI against South Africa at Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. Since then, he is leading the three lions in Test cricket and the team has enjoyed amazing success under his captaincy of late.

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Currently, the English team under the captaincy of Jos Buttler is playing the three-match ODI series against South Africa. The visitors lost the first ODI to South Africa played at the Bloemfontein on Friday, the 27^th of January.

Subsequently, Wisden Cricket took to the micro-blogging site Twitter and posted a graphic representing England’s record in the last nine ODIs. Jos Buttler’s men have won only two matches out of these nine ODI appearances.

“What is England's biggest issue in ODI cricket? #SAvENG” tweeted Wisden.

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What is England's biggest issue in ODI cricket?#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/lpS55LKbgZ

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 27, 2023

The veteran all-rounder England Test skipper Ben Stokes couldn’t resist replying to Wisden’s tweet with a witty and humorous remark. Stokes indirectly blamed the jam-packed schedule of the England cricket team.

“Begins with S ends with E and has chedul in there as well,” tweeted Stokes quoting Wisden’s tweet.

Begins with S ends with E and has chedul in there as well https://t.co/U2aF9FOSDw

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) January 27, 2023

This tweet from Ben Stokes also came as an opportunity for cricket fans to come up with different reactions. The fans happened to support the 31-year-old’s remarks regarding the clustered schedule of the England cricket team and their performance in limited-overs cricket.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Could not agree more stokesy. You've sorted out our red ball mate - you got time to sort out our scheduling as well? #goldentouch

— Rob Cooke (@robertdcooke) January 27, 2023

the main reason is
Buttler, Moeen, curran, Livingstone haven't stepped up
and they r missing u

— THE _truce (@ginura_inx) January 28, 2023

Agree it starts with S, but definitely ends in N, and has electio in the middle.

Too many players making the same mistakes in the same fashion, at the same points - Groundhog Day style.

— David Colesby (@david_colesby) January 27, 2023

You should storm into the ECB offices and lay down some home truths

— Darren R (@darren_ramage) January 27, 2023

Less is more as simple as that. Way too much cricket being played which ultimately diluted both the sport and the product.

— MIchael Marlowe (@mikemarlowe6) January 28, 2023

Buttler can't survive this

— ADONIS (@Adonis579) January 28, 2023

Well said Stokesy, got to look after our players

— Josh (@cricketmad046) January 27, 2023

Hales, Jacks, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Livingstone, Woakes, Wood, Topley.

All of those should have played.

Playing Archer was a risk - and he went for 80 and got 0.

— Mr Luckhurst. (@Beeeefy1) January 28, 2023

the hundred

— Rick Hyett (@boozyvegas) January 27, 2023

Currently, Jos Buttler’s men are locking horns with South Africa in the second of the three-match ODI series at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The hosts’ skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss asked the three lions to bat first. Notably, South Africa is leading the series by 1-0 with a 27-run in the first ODI.