England’s Ben Stokes comes out of ODI retirement ahead of Cricket World Cup

The England Test captain was included in the squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, announced by national selector Luke Wright on Wednesday.

Stokes quit the ODI format 13 months ago due to a demanding workload as a multi-format player and concerns about a chronic left knee injury.

That fitness issue meant the all-rounder did not bowl at all during the last three Tests of the recently concluded drawn Ashes series at home to Australia.

But Stokes could now feature as a specialist batsman when England look to retain their title in India starting in October.

Stokes, 32, was Player of the Match in the 2019 World Cup final on home soil when he hit an unbeaten 84 as England beat New Zealand in a dramatic super over.