World Cup -winning coach Matthew Mott will try to tempt Ben Stokes out of ODI retirement for next year’s 50 over World Cup in India.
And why wouldn’t he when he has just seen first hand how big a difference Stokes can make to a World Cup campaign?
The 31-year-old played what is supposed to be his final ODI against South Africa at his home ground in Durham last summer, citing a focus on the Test team as captain, a packed schedule and the strains on his body as reasons why he could no longer play all three formats.
But Mott is prepared to parachute Stokes into the side at the tournament next year if he has a change of heart and can offer real benefit for the good of English cricket.
“I would absolutely ask him back,” said Mott. “When he retired from ODI cricket I think it was a good decision and the right one being Test captain and having a lot on his plate.
“One of the first things I said was that I’d back any decision he made but I said to him he didn’t necessarily have to retire, he could just not play 50-overs for a while.
“I did say he could always unretire. That’s his decision. It’s going to be a World Cup year and we don’t play much T20 cricket for a while but it will be a decision that’s up to him.
“He is a very special commodity for the English game and he’ll do what’s right for English cricket and he always has. The more we can get him is great.
“He’s doing an amazing job with the Test captaincy but he is a very big cog in the wheel when he comes back to white-ball. He’s been unbelievable here. He has added so much leadership around the group and you knew that as long as he was out there in the middle, we would be OK.”
Mott admitted that Stokes was carrying ‘a bit of a knee injury’ at the moment and perhaps that physical toll will be the main decider as to whether or not he returns. For now though the offer is there, and there won’t be an England player or fan who wouldn’t want to see Stokes in the thick of World Cup action once more next year.
