Stokes might play the ODI World Cup, after all!

Star all-rounder Ben Stokes has not ruled out the possibility of coming out of ODI retirement for England’s title defence of the 50-over World Cup in India next year.

The 31-year-old England Test captain had announced retirement from ODIs in July, citing pressure on his workload.

However, less than five months after that decision, he has left the door open for a possible U-turn.

Stokes said, “Who knows how I might feel towards a World Cup at the time.”

The next 50-over World Cup will be held in India in October-November in 2023.

“It’s one of those things. Going to a World Cup is an amazing thing to do, to represent your country.”, Stokes said

“But at the moment I’m not even thinking about that. My focus is solely on this series (against Pakistan).”

When Stokes announced his ODI retirement, he had said it should serve as a warning to authorities over the amount of multi-format cricket players are expected to play.

“There is too much cricket rammed in for people to play all three formats now,” he said in July.

“We are not cars, you can’t just fill us up and we’ll go out there and be ready to be fuelled up again.”

He had then dismissed suggestion he would come back to play at the 50-over World Cup.

But the thought of playing another World Cup is too tempting, we presume.

That’s great news for English fans.