Vaibhav Tripathi
It’s official. Ben Stokes has made a U-turn on his ODI retirement and returned to the side with an eye on helping England retain the World Cup to be played in India.
The all-rounder has been named in the squad for the ODI series against New Zealand to be hosted by England in September. The four-match series will be preceded by four T20Is. The inclusion of Stokes and return of Joe Root have prompted the omission of Yorkshire’s Harry Brook. This might mean a blow to Brook’s World Cup chances. Uncapped fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been named in both the ODI and T20I squads.
“The return of Stokes only adds to the quality with his match-winning ability and leadership. I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again,” said England’s selector Luke Wright.
Hampshire’s right-arm seamer John Turner and Worcestershire’s quick bowler Josh Tongue, who made his Test debut this summer, have also been included in the T20I squad. “We’re excited to give first international call-ups to both Gus Atkinson and John Turner, while Josh Tongue has deserved a place in the T20 squad after impressing during the Ashes,” added Wright.
Still recovering from an elbow injury, Jofra Archer misses out on both series against New Zealand. Teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and Brook have been selected for the T20Is only.
ODI squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
T20I squad: Jos Buttler (c), Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, John Turner, Luke Wood.