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In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes has reversed his ODI retirement decision. The announcement was made as he was included in the squad for the upcoming four-match ODI series against New Zealand, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown between the two cricketing giants.
The decision to recall Stokes, who had earlier retired from ODIs in July 2022, comes as a major boost for England’s campaign in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, an event that cricket enthusiasts around the globe are eagerly awaiting. England coach Matthew Mott, in a press conference, expressed his determination to bring back Stokes and revealed his intention to utilize him solely as a batsman in the limited-overs format.
Jos Buttler, who has already been leading the side, will continue to carry the captain’s responsibility for the ODI series. The combination of Buttler’s leadership skills and Stokes’ immense talent and experience could prove to be a game-changer for England as they prepare to take on New Zealand.
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The squad features experienced campaigners and promising talents
The fast-bowling department for England will be spearheaded by a formidable quartet comprising Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, and Chris Woakes. This lineup promises to deliver a blend of pace, swing, and accuracy that could challenge even the most experienced batsmen.
In the spin department, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali will be entrusted with the responsibility of bamboozling the New Zealand batting lineup. Their ability to extract turn and deceive the opposition batsmen could be crucial in determining the outcome of the matches.
The rest of the squad features a mix of experienced campaigners and promising talents. Players like Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, and Jason Roy are expected to provide depth to the batting and contribute significantly in various aspects of the game.
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England’s ODI squad for New Zealand series:
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
