Managing Director of England Men's Cricket Rob Key has lauded Ben Stokes ' decision to retire from ODI cricket, claiming it will "benefit England long-term".
Stokes was the hero of England's 2019 Cricket World Cup win, being named player of the match in the final, but the 31-year-old will not feature when they attempt to defend their crown next year in India.
He is set to play his final ODI against South Africa at his home ground of Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, having stated the current schedule means it is "unsustainable" for him to play all three formats for England.
And Key has called it a "typically selfless decision" by Stokes, claiming his retirement from ODI cricket will ensure that he goes on to "play 120-plus Tests and help England in T20 matches and World Cups for many years to come".
Key said: "Ben Stokes has had an incredible international career in ODI cricket, culminating in his match-winning performance at the 2019 World Cup final.
"I know this must have been a tough decision, but I completely understand why he has reached this conclusion.
"I'm sure that when we look back on Ben's career and see this as one of the reasons he will play 120-plus Tests and help England in T20 matches and World Cups for many years to come. It is a typically selfless decision that will benefit England long-term."
Interim ECB CEO Clare Connor, meanwhile, admitted Stokes would be a big loss to the ODI side but acknowledged that the current "busy calendar of cricket" and his status as Test captain made it difficult for him to play all formats. "Ben Stokes is a superstar in every format of our game," Connor said.
"His remarkable contribution to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final at Lord’s in 2019 enabled England Men to win that prestigious trophy for the first time. Ben is not only one of the world’s best players, but an inspirational figure too so our ODI team will miss him.
"But having taken on the Test captaincy and with today’s busy calendar of cricket, we completely understand and respect his decision. We look forward to watching him excite and enthral in an England shirt for many years to come."
