Ben Stokes to play as specialist batter at World Cup after ODI retirement U-turn

Ben Stokes has backtracked on his ODI retirement and is included in an England squad to face New Zealand that doubles as a provisional travelling get together for the defence of their World Cup crown.

Uncapped fast Gus Atkinson has additionally been drafted in for 4 tune-up ODIs subsequent month as Jofra Archer won’t be match till at least the closing phases of the World Cup in India in October and November.

Stokes branded a three-format schedule as “unsustainable” when calling time on his ODI profession 13 months in the past, whereas considerations abound over a power left knee downside that restricted his bowling within the Ashes.

He had deliberate to use a six-month hole between Check assignments to deal with the problem however is now set for a specialist batting function as one in all 9 survivors that helped England win the 2019 World Cup.

“It wasn’t actually a case of fixing his thoughts,” stated England males’s nationwide selector Luke Wright, who confirmed a 15-strong squad to face the Kiwis subsequent month will probably be their submission for the World Cup.

“As soon as his physique was in an excellent place and he’d had a relaxation, he was actually eager to play. He nonetheless has time to do his relaxation and rehab, which he’s doing, and he says his knee does really feel prefer it’s enhancing.

“The one factor we gained’t be doing is pushing him to bowl until he’s completely match and raring to go. That was an enormous a part of the choice for him, having the ability to simply play as a batter and that was a simple choice for us.

“Finally the choice got here down to it’s a World Cup we would like to win and we really feel like we’re higher, and have extra likelihood, with Stokesy than we haven’t. If ever there’s somebody for the large moments it’s Ben Stokes.”

The ODI return of England’s Check captain, the participant of the match within the 2019 World Cup closing whose unbeaten fifty led his aspect to victory within the T20 equal showpiece final 12 months, comes at the expense of Harry Brook.

Ben Duckett additionally misses out in 4 ODIs in opposition to the Black Caps from September 8-15 however Brook’s absence is conspicuous given the influence he has had in all codecs over the previous 12 months.

“It’s as onerous a choice as you’re ever going to get,” stated Wright. “The whole lot’s going brilliantly with Brooky.

“There’s no denying what a celebrity he’s, and what an enormous future he’s acquired with us. However sadly in a 15-man squad, somebody’s going to have to miss out. On this event it’s been him.”

Choosing Atkinson is a curve ball given he has performed simply two Listing A matches in his profession however the 25-year-old gives England one other categorical tempo possibility alongside Mark Wooden in a quick bowling assault additionally containing Chris Woakes, plus left-armers Sam Curran, Reece Topley and David Willey.

Whereas he began the home season outdoors Surrey’s XI, Atkinson has impressed in all codecs in current months, particularly in The Hundred the place he was clocked bowling at 95mph for Oval Invincibles.

England could make modifications to their World Cup squad up till September 28 nevertheless it appears Archer’s finest likelihood of being on the airplane to India is as one in all three travelling reserves.

Archer was England’s tremendous over hero 4 years in the past however is on the comeback path from his newest elbow downside and should solely come into the World Cup reckoning if one other bowler goes down injured.

“There has acquired to be an obligation of care with Jof, we all know how determined all of us are to have him, there’s little doubt about that, however we’ve additionally acquired to get it proper for him,” Wright added.

“As a lot as the temptation is to try to rush him in and get him in for the beginning of this World Cup, sadly we’re simply going to run out of time.

“The most effective case situation for Jof at the second would in all probability be obtainable for the again finish of the match. However clearly, a variety of issues have nonetheless acquired to go proper with this rehab earlier than then.”

England’s white-ball programme this summer time begins with a four-match T20 sequence in opposition to New Zealand from August 30 to September 5, the place Atkinson may make his worldwide debut.

Hampshire seamer John Turner has earned his first senior call-up, whereas Josh Tongue, who has caught the attention within the Check aspect this summer time, is ready for his maiden expertise of England’s limited-overs set-up.

England ODI squad to face New Zealand from September 8-15: J Buttler (captain), M Ali, G Atkinson, J Bairstow, S Curran, L Livingstone, D Malan, A Rashid, J Root, J Roy, B Stokes, R Topley, D Willey, M Wooden, C Woakes.

England T20 squad to face New Zealand from August 30-September 5: J Buttler (captain), R Ahmed, M Ali, G Atkinson, J Bairstow, H Brook, S Curran, B Duckett, W Jacks, L Livingstone, D Malan, A Rashid, J Tongue, J Turner, L Wooden.