Ben Stokes hits fifty on ODI return against New Zealand; Hosts lose by 8 wickets

English all-rounder Ben Stokes marked his return to ODI cricket by scoring a fifty in the first ODI against New Zealand. English all-rounder took his retirement back to participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India in October. His return also sparked controversy as young English batter Harry Brook was left out of the 15-member squad for the mega event. 

When asked about his exclusion Brook said “I’m trying not to think about it anymore. I’ve not had much conversation with Matthew [Mott] or Jos [Buttler]. They said with Stokesy coming back I was probably going to miss out this time. He is one of the best players to ever play cricket, so I can’t really complain, can I.”

However, Brook was added to the squad for the ODI series against New Zealand but the main talking point before the start of the series was the return of Ben Stokes and England’s red ball captain returned in some style as he scored a patient half-century on a tricky wicket against a quality bowling attack.

A Gritty Innings

 He was dismissed after scoring 52 of 69 balls. It was not his most fluent effort but was one of four fifty-plus scores on a tricky pitch after the hosts were asked to bat first, with Dawid Malan contributing 54 off 53 balls before Jos Buttler top-scored with 72 off 68 deliveries.

The Reason

Stokes was asked the reason for his return on the eve of the match. The all-rounder said “Back then, it was: ‘I’m done’,” Stokes told BBC. “But as time goes on and the opportunities come closer and closer, you think completely differently to when I made the decision. There were obviously a lot of things to think about. First and foremost, I needed to see how I got through the Ashes and then think about what I had after the World Cup. When I felt like I had to make a decision and make myself available, it was an easy one to make.

“The words ‘World Cup’ are pretty inspiring. Going into this one as world champions, playing a part in that in 2019, which was an unbelievable moment for us as a team and myself… the idea of going in and potentially being able to win back-to-back World Cups was one of the big things.”