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Jos Buttler to lead conversation with Ben Stokes for retirement U-turn ahead of England's 2023 ODI World Cup squad announcement

Ahead of the squad announcement for the 2023 ODI World Cup, England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler is likely to have a one-on-one conversation with Test skipper Ben Stokes urging the stylish all-rounder to come out of retirement in order to participate in the quadrennial mega competition.

SportsTak

• Sun • 13 Aug 2023

Ahead of the squad announcement for the 2023 ODI World Cup, England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler is likely to have a one-on-one conversation with Test skipper Ben Stokes urging the stylish all-rounder to come out of retirement in order to participate in the quadrennial mega competition. In an interview with Daily Mail, England white-ball coach Matthew Mott confirmed that Butter is likely to convince Stokes to make himself available for World Cup selection.

"Jos will probably lead the way on that communication, but Ben’s pretty straight with all of us. We will see if he’s keen. There has not been a clear direction on what he’s going to do yet, but we are still hopeful. I’ve always said his bowling would be a bonus, but just look at what he brings with the bat, even in the field," Mott told Daily Mail.

"Watching him throughout the whole Ashes series, he had such a great presence. He’s done it for years when it comes to performing in one-day cricket and so he’s an invaluable commodity," he added.

Stokes decided to retire from ODIs in July last year because of the increasing demand on his body that comes with playing all three formats of the game.

During the 2023 Ashes series between England and Australia, Stokes was asked whether he is contemplating a decision to take a U-turn on his ODI retirement and the all-rounder gave a very vague answer.

"I’m retired, I’m going on holiday after this game and that’s as far as I’m thinking," Stokes said.

England are the defending World Cup champions and Stokes played a mammoth role in Three Lions winning their first 50-over World Cup crown. In the 2019 World Cup final, the left-handed batter played a stupendous knock of 84 runs in 98 balls before excelling in the super over as well.

Overall, Stokes scored 465 runs in 10 innings during the 2019 World Cup. With the ball, the right-arm pacer struck seven times as his three-dimensional game was a big difference-maker for the Three Lions.