Ben Stokes, star England all-rounder, on Monday announced that he is retiring from ODI cricket. In his statement, the 31-year said that playing all three formats is no longer sustainable for him. 

Stokes, who was appointed as England’s Test captain this year, will play his last ODI on Tuesday, against Temba Bavuma’s South Africa. 

“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,” Stokes said in an ECB release. 

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

The England Cricket Board called Stokes an inspirational figure. The all-rounder played a key role in the team’s 2019 World Cup triumph. He was named the player of the match in the final. 

“Ben Stokes is a superstar in every format of our game. His remarkable contribution to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final at Lord’s in 2019 enabled England Men to win that prestigious trophy for the first time. Ben is not only one of the world’s best players, but an inspirational figure too so our ODI team will miss him. But having taken on the Test captaincy and with today’s busy calendar of cricket, we completely understand and respect his decision,” Clare Connor, interim ECB CEO said. 

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“We look forward to watching him excite and enthral in an England shirt for many years to come.”

The Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said,”Ben Stokes has had an incredible international career in ODI cricket, culminating in his match-winning performance at the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final. I know this must have been a tough decision, but I completely understand why he has reached this conclusion.”

Key further added that Stokes’ decision is selfless and ‘will benefit England long-term’.