The 2019 ODI World Cup was won by England in large part thanks to Ben Stokes. In fact, the Southpaw won Player of the Match for his heroics in the championship match versus New Zealand, scoring 84* off 98 balls. Ben Stokes opted to stop participating in the 50-over format in 2022. However, earlier this week, the legendary cricketer made the decision to leave retirement in order to support England’s World Cup title defense in India in October-November.
While the news of Ben Stokes return has cheered English fans, Tim Paine, a former Australian captain, has launched a stinging criticism on England’s red-ball captain, claiming that the U-turn denied a cricketer the chance to compete in the World Cup after being a member of the team for the previous 12 months.
“I thought it was interesting that Ben Stokes would one day leave retirement. It had a slight “Me, me, me” vibe, don’t you think? It sounded like, “I’ll pick and choose where and when to play,” “I’ll play in the big tournaments,” and similar statements. The players that played for a full year said, “Sorry, thanks. However, could you go sit on the bench as I need to play right away? Speaking on SEN Radio, Paine.
Both Harry Brook and Ben Stokes? such a bat. It’d be quite close to:Tim Paine
Harry Brook, a young and skilled cricketer for England, made an impression during his lone ODI series earlier this year against South Africa. In the second ODI, he made an outstanding 80 from 75 balls. He was not chosen for the team that will play in the forthcoming New Zealand series, which is also England’s World Cup tentative lineup. The selectors chose Stokes, but Paine thought it must have been extremely tough to choose him over Brook given that the veteran has a knee issue and might only participate in the 10-team competition as a batsman.
“I’m not sure; he isn’t bowling. Both Harry Brook and Ben Stokes? such a bat. The distance would be “very, very, very close,” according to Paine.
![[WATCH]: Faf du Plessis pulls off gravity-defying one-handed screamer in MLC 2025, clip takes internet by storm](https://onecricket.pro/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1770821-rcb-2-120x86.jpg "[WATCH]: Faf du Plessis pulls off gravity-defying one-handed screamer in MLC 2025, clip takes internet by storm 4")
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