Ben Stokes retires from ODI cricket: Fans react

Ben Stokes announced on Monday that he is retiring from one-day cricket to focus on his role as England Test captain. The 31-year-old will play his last game for England against South Africa in Durham tomorrow.

“This has been an incredibly tough decision to make,” he said in a statement. “I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way. 

Also Read | Ben Stokes statement on ODI retirement

“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 per cent of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it.”

Stokes’ fans praised the “World Cup winning hero” and remembered some of his great moments by sharing clips from his matches. Some of his fans also said that it was “too early” for him to announce retirement.

Also Read | England’s Ben Stokes announces retirement from ODIs

“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,” one user wrote.

Stokes finishes his ODI career with 104 caps, and 2919 runs at an average of 39.45. He scored three tons and 21 fifties. 

England will be playing a three-match ODI series vs Temba Bavuma and co. 

Some of Stokes’ impressive records include – Man of the Match in 2019 Cricket World Cup final, Fastest 250 in Tests, highest number of runs in the first session of a day in Tests, and the second cricketer to score over 4,000 runs and more than 100 wickets Tests for England.