Ben Stokes will play his final one-day international match against South Africa on Tuesday, having announced he will retire from the format in order to focus on captaining England's Test team and playing T20 cricket.
Stokes famously led England to a stunning victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final, scoring an unbeaten 84 as Eoin Morgan's emerged victorious after a dramatic super over. However, the all-rounder will not feature in England's defence of their 50-over crown next year in India after deciding to retire from ODIs.
He will play his final ODI at his home ground of Chester-le-Street, having decided it is simply "unsustainable" to feature in all three formats for England now that he is Test captain. In a statement, Stokes said: "I will play my last game for England in ODI cricket on Tuesday in Durham. I have decided to retire from this format.
"This has been an incredibly tough decision to make. I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way.
"As hard as a decision as this was to come to, it's not as hard dealing with the fact I can't give my teammates 100% of myself in this format anymore. The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it.
"Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do | feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team their all.
"It's time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years. I will give everything I have to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can also give my total commitment to the T20 format."
Stokes has already pulled out of The Hundred this year in order to focus on the upcoming Test series against South Africa, having been set to feature for the Northern Superchargers at the start of the tournament.
That series is set to begin in August, with three Test matches taking place at Lord's, Old Trafford and the Oval. And Stokes will be hoping to continue his 100% record as skipper, having guided England to four thrilling victories over New Zealand and India.
