Ben Stokes Retires At 31 - Is The Issue Of 'Too Much Cricket' Real?
The player of the match for England in the last 50-over World Cup, the dynamic all-rounder Ben Stokes announced his retirement from the one-day format on July 18th, 2021. Aged 31, this decision has come as a shock to some, while some cricketers may agree with the all-rounder's reasons.
'Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team their all. It's time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years', Ben Stokes said while announcing his retirement from the 50-over format.
In the FTP cycle announced by England Cricket for 2023-2027, England are set to play 42 test matches, 44 ODIs and 52 T20Is. Apart from these matches, England are to play two ODI World Cups, two T20I World Cups and two Champions Trophy.
In addition to international matches, there are various T20 leagues around the world, the IPL being the most prominent along with the BBL and the Hundred. With this the question arises, are the players being forced to play too much cricket? England have definitely received a blow as the defending champions will be playing the ODI World Cup next year in India, where they won't have the all-rounder who eventually won the maiden World title for England.
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Ben Stokes, is set to play his last ODI against South Africa on July 19th (Tuesday) at his home ground, Durham. The 31-year-old made his ODI debut for England in 2011 in Ireland, and after 104 matches, the all-rounder has registered 2,919 runs in 104 matches with an average of 39.44 and three centuries to his name. Stokes has also picked up 74 wickets with a 5-wicket haul, and would always be remembered for his heroics in the final of the ODI World Cup 2019 against New Zealand.