Ben Stokes stunned the cricketing world earlier this week by announcing his retirement from ODI cricket. The 31-year-old’s retirement from one format of the game send shockwaves across the globe especially as the star all-rounder claimed that it had become unsustainable for him to continue playing all three formats of the game.
The cricketing world has reacted to Stokes’ big decision. While everyone has lavished praise on Stokes’ brilliant career in the 50-over format, his decision has triggered debates about the future of the game and also led many to predict a doomsday scenario for the 50-over format.
England’s Test coach Brendon McCullum has become the latest to react to Stokes’ decision. The ex-New Zealand captain gave an interesting reaction to the decision and stated that the England Test skipper is in a luxurious position in order to be able to make a call like this. However, McCullum stated he was happy with the call and looking to spend more time with him.
“Yeah of course I am,” said McCullum to SENZ breakfast on being if he was happy with the decision. “He’s probably in a luxurious position that he’s able to do that, but also with the demands of the schedules and with his heightened schedule as Test captain, it would’ve become too much. He also has a young family and there’s a lot going on,” said McCullum.
“I don’t know if it’s symbolic of where the game itself is at around the globe, but I see it as an absolute positive to be honest. I’m looking forward to being able to spend even more time with ‘Stokesy’ trying to get this thing cracking,” he added.
McCullum feels that while Stokes playing all three formats of the game was the ideal scenario, this move will allow him to really immerse himself in the Test side. “Obviously we would’ve loved to see Ben Stokes playing in three forms of the game, he’s an out and out superstar and we’ve seen what he’s been able to achieve, but sometimes things have to give way and I look at it as a positive that he’s going to have the time to really immerse himself in the Test side,” said the England red-ball coach.
Stokes and McCullum were appointed England’s Test captain and head coach respectively earlier this year. Their tenure began with a 3-0 series win in the three-match series against New Zealand home. They also beat India in a one-off Test earlier this month.
