“Sorry, thanks.But can you go and sit on the bench because I want to play now?’”: Tim Paine criticizes Ben Stokes ODI comeback ahead of 2023 World Cup.

Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine has expressed his interest in Ben Stokes’ return to ODIs ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Paine has raised concerns about Stokes’ approach and has questioned the decision to exclude Harry Brook from the squad.

Ben Stokes, the 32-year-old all-rounder from Durham, has reversed his retirement from ODI cricket to participate in the upcoming mega event scheduled for October-November in India. Stokes had previously retired from the format in July 2022. His decision to make a comeback has generated anticipation and excitement, especially considering his impact on the team.

England’s team morale is set to receive a significant boost with Stokes rejoining the ODI series against New Zealand. His prowess as an all-rounder brings depth to the team’s batting and bowling line-up, making him a valuable asset for England’s World Cup aspirations.

Speaking to SEN Tassie, Tim Paine has raised questions about Stokes’ approach to selecting the tournaments he participates in.

Ben Stokes coming out of one day retirement, I found that interesting. It was a bit of, ‘Me, me, me’, there isn’t it? It was, ‘I’ll pick and I’ll choose where I want to play and when I want to play’, and, ‘I’ll play in the big tournaments’. The guys who played for 12 months, ‘Sorry, thanks. But can you go and sit on the bench because I want to play now?”

Ben Stokes played a pivotal role in England’s victorious 2019 World Cup campaign. He scored an impressive 465 runs in 11 matches at an average of over 60. His standout performance came in the final against New Zealand, where he played an unbeaten inning of 84 runs to guide England to their first-ever World Cup triumph. Stokes’ ability to deliver under pressure and make crucial contributions in crucial matches is well-documented.