It has been reported that England’s talisman all-rounder Ben Stokes is all set to make a U-turn on his ODI retirement and return to the national team for the upcoming World Cup. Stokes’ deputy in the Test format Ollie Pope reckons the all-rounder is someone England will want in big matches.
Stokes has been a big match player for Three Lions and he has proved his mettle on numerous occasions. The left-hander had scored a match-winning knock of 84 runs off just 98 balls in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand.
Stokes will return purely as a batter for the ODI showpiece and his inclusion will definitely add a shot in the arm to Jos Buttler-led team.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Pope said, “I mean, look, we saw he didn’t have his best tournament in Australia, and then as he does, he stepped up when the team needed him the most in the semi-final and the final. He is someone who steps up in the biggest stages. He’s someone you want in those massive games as well.”
“You can name every player in the order, and if they have their day out in the final of the World Cup, then they can be a match-winning hero and do exactly what he has done in the last two World Cups. So, of course, they can win without him. But look, any team is a better team with him in it.”
Pope added that Stokes is a kind of player any England team will be lucky to have. Stokes is well known to deliver on the big stage and he has been a consistent performer for England over the years.
“Ben Stokes is someone who loves playing for England. I think as much as anyone else. And he’s a player that any England team is lucky to have in the side, and obviously, he’s got his knee (problem).”
He added: “It’s no secret that he’s been trying to manage that, but it’s great for him that he feels like he’s in a place where he can go and have a big contribution in a tournament like the World Cup.”
England will begin their World Cup campaign against the previous edition’s runners-up New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on October 5.
