Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has criticized England's Test captain Ben Stokes for reversing his decision to retire from 50-over internationals in white-ball cricket and rejoining the team for the World Cup. Paine stated that Stokes should not be allowed to selectively participate in events at his convenience.
Stokes, aged 32, had declared his retirement from ODIs in July of the previous year, citing the strain of juggling three cricket formats. However, he recently reversed his retirement to secure a spot in the 15-member England squad for a limited-overs series against New Zealand. This series serves as preparation for the upcoming World Cup in India.
While England are enthusiastic about Stokes's re-entry into the ODI squad in anticipation of the World Cup scheduled to begin from October 5 in India, Paine hinted that Stokes's actions were driven by a self-centered attitude.
"Ben Stokes coming out of one day retirement, I found that interesting," Paine said on Sen Radio.
"It was a bit of 'me, me, me' there, isn't it? It was, 'I'll pick and I'll choose where I want to play and when I want to play', and, 'I'll play in the big tournaments'."
Paine opined that England cricketers who had been slogging for 12 months waiting to play in the World Cup will have to sit out to make way for Stokes.
"The guys who played for 12 months, 'Sorry, thanks. But can you go and sit on the bench because I want to play now?'," said Paine.
In light of his ongoing knee injury, Stokes is expected to contribute primarily as a specialized batter, as bowling worsens his chronic condition.
Paine pointed out that the England cricket board's choice to include Stokes in the New Zealand series has resulted in the exclusion of Harry Brook. Brook achieved the distinction of becoming the fastest to amass 1,000 Test runs when measured on a per-ball basis, achieving this feat in 1,058 balls. Nevertheless, Brook has not managed to secure a spot in the England squad.
"I don't know, he's (Stokes) not bowling. Harry Brook or Ben Stokes? As a bat. It would be very close, very, very close."
1/10:World Cup 2023: Ben Stokes ends ODI retirement
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2/10:Ben Stokes
<p>Ben Stokes reversed his decision to retire from one-day internationals ahead of England's defence of their 50-over men's World Cup title in India. </p>Getty Images
3/10:Demanding workload
<p>Test captain Stokes quit the ODI format 13 months ago due to a demanding workload as a multi-format player and amid concerns about a chronic left knee injury. </p>Getty Images
4/10:Ashes
<p>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. </p>Reuters
5/10:Specialist batsman
<p>But Stokes could now feature as a specialist batsman when England look to retain their title in India starting in October. </p>Getty Images
6/10:England vs New Zealand
<p>England are set to play four ODIs against New Zealand, with Stokes included in a 15-man squad that could well resemble the touring party selected for the World Cup. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Dawid Malan
<p>Dawid Malan has retained his place ahead of Harry Brook, with the Yorkshire batsman appearing to be the player left out to accommodate Stokes's return. </p>Getty Images
8/10:Gus Atkinson
<p>England have also included uncapped Surrey fast bowler Gus Atkinson in their squad for the New Zealand ODI series. </p>Getty Images
9/10:Raw pace
<p>Gus Atkinson was not even in Surrey's XI at the start of the season but has impressed across all formats, especially in The Hundred where he was timed bowling at 95 mph (153 kph) for the Oval Invincibles.</p>Getty Images
10/10:Jofra Archer
<p>With Jofra Archer unlikely to be fit for the start of the World Cup, Atkinson will hope to prove his worth at international level against New Zealand. </p>Getty ImagesHowever, Paine conceded that the current champions of the ODI World Cup, England, will hold the status of favorites as they head into the imminent tournament, sharing the spotlight with the host nation, India.
"Probably (England are now favourites), them and India. I think the Aussies, if they can get hot (they can also win)," added Paine.
(With agency inputs)
