Ben Stokes welcome with open arms, but England preparing itself to play ODI World Cup without him: Jos Buttler

England’s white-ball skipper Jos Buttler has confirmed that the team is planning for the 2023 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be played in India later this year, without Ben Stokes.

While some are still hopeful about Stokes coming out of ODI retirement, Buttler stated that the team is preparing as if he would not be available for the mega event. The 31-year-old bid adieu to the 50-over format in 2022 to manage his workload in Tests and T20Is.

Buttler said he is aware that Stokes’ primary focus is Test cricket and captianing his side to a first Ashes win since 2015. "If he (Stokes) wants to change his decision, of course he'd be welcomed back with open arms but we are very much at the moment planning as if he he won't be available," Buttler was quoted by The Mirror.

Meanwhile, England’s white-ball coach Matthew Mott also recently stated that the "door is open" in case Stokes wants to come out of retirement. "The door is always open for a player of that quality but we are also very aware that his main focus is red ball cricket as the captain, we leave the door open," Mott. was quoted by BBC recently.

Notably, Stokes was the main anchor of England’s first-ever ODI World Cup win at Lords in 2019, when he helped England clinch a nail-biting final against the New Zealand. He was also the hero of England’s recent T20 Word Cup win, scoring unbeaten 52 against Pakistan in the final.

Stokes has also been phenomenal as Test captain with series wins over New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan. The Three Lions are being looked as one of the favorites to win the World Cup being defending champions of the tournament. Currently, they are playing a three-match ODI series against the Proteas.

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