Ben Stokes statement on ODI retirement

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from one-day international cricket after Tuesday’s Royal London International against South Africa.

Stokes issued a statement on social media that read: “I will play my last game for England in ODI cricket on Tuesday in Durham. I have decided to retire from this format. This has been an incredibly tough decision to make. I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way.

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He added- “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.”

“I will give everything I have to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can also give my total commitment to the T20 format.”

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“I would like to wish Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players and the support staff every success going forward. We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright.”

“I have loved all 104 games I have played so far, I’ve got one more, and it feels amazing to be playing my last game at my home ground in Durham.”

“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.”

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The 31-year-old all-rounder has played 101 One-Day Internationals for England, the highlight being his unbeaten 84 in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord’s.

The ODI in Durham on Tuesday is the first of three 50-over matches against South Africa, with the others taking place at Old Trafford and Headingley.

Stokes will then return for the T20 series, which begins on July 27 in Bristol.