Ben Stokes’ scintillating knock on Wednesday in the third ODI match against New Zealand was the resounding comeback for Stokes to One Day internationals since revoking his ODI retirement to participate in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. Ben Stokes played the 182-run knock which helped him set new ODI record for England. Stokes’s knock was the highest individual score by a batter for England in ODIs. Stokes last year called it quits from ODIs to shift his focus towards red-ball format but his ODI retirement reversal has come as a big boost to England ahead of the ODI World Cup in India.
“Obviously I’ve been asked a lot about my knee over a long period of time, so I just said that to leave it,” said Stokes during the post-match presentation.
“I knew that I’d be playing in these games and potentially in the World Cup then when I said that, but it was just the easiest thing to say that and put you (the media) off the radar,” said Stokes.
Stokes’s (182) that included fifteen boundaries and nine sixes was one of the terrific knocks played by Stokes as he overtook Jason Roy who has scored 180 against South Africa in 2018.
“I didn’t really know (about the record) until the bloke on the tannoy announced it – then I got out next ball. This is the first time that I’ve been clear in my mind that’s the one thing I can focus on,” noted Stokes.
Stokes also remarked on being the specialist batter in the team by stating that he hasn’t changed his approach while at No.4 in One Day Internationals.
“I think over the last 18 months, every day has been, ‘will I bowl, will I not bowl?’. Now, I know that I can just focus on that that’s my thing for the team now,” said Stokes.
“I’d prefer not to go in that early because I want to see the other lads at the top do well. I don’t think I’ve necessarily changed my approach in one-day cricket from all the years I spent at No.5 or 6. I still think that batting at No.4, I’ll go out with the exact same approach I had at No.5.”
