“I knew that I’d be playing these games and potentially the World Cup”:Ben Stokes on his comeback after stunning century against New Zealand.

Renowned English all-rounder Ben Stokes marked a spectacular comeback to the One Day International (ODI) format, displaying his exceptional skills against New Zealand during the third ODI of the ongoing series. In a breathtaking performance, Stokes amassed an astonishing 182 runs from just 124 deliveries. This remarkable innings played a pivotal role in England’s ability to set an imposing total against New Zealand, ultimately leading to a resounding victory with a commanding margin of 181 runs.

Interestingly, Ben Stokes, who had primarily focused on Test cricket in 2023, recently revealed his unwavering commitment to the ODI format. He expressed his firm belief in returning to represent England in the upcoming World Cup. It’s worth noting that Stokes has grappled with knee issues in the past, which has posed challenges to his bowling capabilities. In response to inquiries about his knee, the star player shared his perspective, suggesting that at times, it’s advantageous to deflect media attention away from this recurring concern.

Ben Stokes said “Obviously I’ve been asked a lot about my knee over a long period of time, so I just said that to leave it. I knew that I’d be playing in these games and potentially in the World Cup then when I said that, but it was just the easiest thing to say that and put you [the press] off the radar.”

“This is the first time that I’ve been clear in my mind that that’s the one thing I can focus on, I think over the last 18 months, every day has been, ‘will I bowl, will I not bowl?’ Now, I know that I can just focus on that… that’s my thing for the team now. Having that clarity in my head contributes to that.”