Is Ben Stokes’ ODI retirement the start of the tip for all-format gamers?

He reaffirmed that he’s additionally planning to provide his “total commitment” to the T20 format for England, regardless of having not performed a T20 International within the final 12 months and a half. He missed final 12 months’s T20 World Cup whereas he took a break from cricket to prioritise his psychological well being.

One of the most effective all-rounders within the recreation, the 31-year-old averaged 41.79 with the ball and 39.44 with the bat throughout his 11-year-career within the 50-over format. His contributions in England’s center order – together with an unbeaten 84 at Lord’s within the 2019 World Cup last – have been essential to the crew’s success.

❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/xTS5oNfN2j

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 18, 2022

Stokes can even be sitting out the T20I sequence in opposition to South Africa, and The Hundred franchise event for the Northern Superchargers. His subsequent alternative to organize for the T20 World Cup in Australia will doubtlessly come within the seven-match T20 sequence in opposition to Pakistan in September.

Cricket overload

Stokes’ retirement, and of those that might doubtlessly comply with in his footsteps, is emblematic of a bigger headache for cricket directors. With cricket performed year-round, and franchise T20 leagues changing into extra highly effective and taking on extra of the calendar, it’s unrealistic for an all-rounder like Stokes, significantly as a tempo bowler, to have the ability to address the rigours of worldwide cricket throughout all codecs.

After his match-winning efficiency in opposition to England at Old Trafford on Sunday, Hardik Pandya alluded to the scenario when requested whether or not he needs to be seen as an all-format participant for India sooner or later.

“I go by what the professionals say. By what the physios and my trainers say. I don’t use my brain unnecessarily, I use it when it is required, on the field. For when to play and where to play, I listen to professionals. It is not up to me,” he stated. Pandya’s final Test look was in opposition to England in September 2018.

#BenStokes introduced that he’ll retire from ODI cricket after the primary match in opposition to South Africa on Tuesday.

Here’s a throwback video of a second of magic from the England all-rounder in opposition to the Proteas within the 2019 ICC World Cup.pic.twitter.com/wgV1TaH7sx

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) July 18, 2022

ODIs, significantly bilateral sequence, may very well be the format that suffers most: their reputation is falling within the face of T20s changing into the first type of limited-overs cricket due to the explosion of franchise tournaments.

England are scheduled to play 16 limited-overs matches earlier than the T20 World Cup in October, and The Hundred, that includes the nation’s finest limited-overs gamers, can even be performed in August.

In a schedule as packed as this, too many gamers will decide out or be rested to prioritise their health and freshness. Other high cricketing international locations can even seemingly characteristic fully separate groups for bilateral sequence in separate codecs, as India did for its two T20Is in opposition to Ireland whereas the Test crew ready for the sequence decider in opposition to England.

With franchise cricket being performed throughout the 12 months, bilateral sequence piling up within the schedule, and separate groups being assembled for separate sequence, even for gamers as versatile and environment friendly as Stokes, all-format cricket on the worldwide degree is unlikely to be the best way ahead.