Cricket News

‘Bilateral ODI/T20 series will have to go’ – Michael Vaughan makes big statement on Ben Stokes’ early ODI retirement

England all-rounder Ben Stokes announced his decision to retire from ODIs on Monday. It came as a shock to many as the 31-year-old revealed that playing all three formats was ‘unsustainable’ for him. Reacting to his decision, former England skipper Michael Vaughan blamed franchise-based cricket tournaments as the reason behind players calling it quits early from a particular format.

Ben Stokes was one of the key members behind England’s 2019 World Cup triumph and was even named the Player of the Match in the all-important final against New Zealand. For 11 years, Stokes has represented England in 104 ODIs and he will be playing his 105th and final game against South Africa in Durham on Tuesday, July 19 which is also the first of the three-match series.

Vaughan took to Twitter to share his opinion on the matter highlighting how desperate cricket boards are to have their respective franchise competitions. He felt that bilateral ODI and T20I cricket will end if the situation remains this way. “Bilateral ODI / T20 series will have to go if all the boards around the world are desperate for their Franchise tournaments!! Something has to give. It shouldn’t be players retiring from one format aged 31!!!!” Vaughan wrote on Twitter.

Bi lateral ODI / T20 series will have to go if all the boards around the world are desperate for there own Franchise tournaments !! Something has to give .. It shouldn’t be players retiring from one format aged 31 !!!!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 18, 2022

 

Vaughan gave his opinions on social media and was very disappointed with Ben Stokes taking early retirement from ODI’s and blamed it on the cricket boards being impatient to make more from the T20 League mania.

“Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos (Buttler) and the rest of the team their all,” Stokes wrote in his message while announcing the news.

Ben Stokes however said that he will continue to play in Tests and T20Is. He went on to say that not playing the ODI’s will help him to prolong his career and give full commitment to his cricket in Tests and T20Is.