England limited-overs coach Matthew Mott hopes he can lure Ben Stokes out of ODI retirement ahead of the Cricket World Cup in 2023.
Star all-rounder Stokes called an end to his 50-over international career in July as he suggested the workload amid a packed schedule was “unsustainable” alongside his Test captaincy.
The 31-year-old did not bow out of the shortest format, though, and proved his white-ball worth with a vital 52 not out in Sunday’s T20 World Cup final victory over Pakistan.
Stokes became just the third player to score 50-plus runs in finals of both an ODI World Cup and a T20 World Cup, having starred against New Zealand in the dramatic Lord’s showpiece in 2019.
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England are the first side to boast duel limited-overs titles at the same time, and Mott hopes he can convince Stokes to return to defend their ODI crown in India next year.
“When he spoke to me about his ODI retirement, one of the first things I said was that I’d back any decision he made,” Mott told Sky Sports.
“He didn’t necessarily have to retire, he could just not play 50 overs for a while. I did say ‘you could always un-retire’. It’s his decision. He’ll do what’s right for English cricket and he always has.
“It’s going to be a World Cup year and we don’t play much T20 cricket for a while but it will be a decision that’s up to him. The more we can get him is great. He’s a world-class player.
“He’s doing an amazing job with the Test captaincy but he is a very big cog in the wheel when he comes back to white ball. I can’t speak more highly of the way he’s been around this group.”
Stokes and Sam Curran, who took the second-most wickets by a pace bowler (13) at an edition of the T20 World Cup, both delivered on the biggest stage for England.
But Mott also pinpointed the influential figures of Reece Topley and Jonny Bairstow, who both missed the tournament in Australia due to injury.
“Reece Topley was a big part of our preparation for here,” the Australian added. “I was absolutely gutted for him, such an innocuous injury. Seeing him leave our group was hard.
“I must admit he was one of the first blokes I thought of (after England’s win) – and Jonny as well.
“Those guys, it’s hard for them when you prepare so much to do something like this, and they don’t come round that often, to have to miss that opportunity is heartbreaking.”
England’s success Down Under could be somewhat credited to Australia, though, given Mott was partnered by Mike Hussey and David Saker in his coaching setup.
“Players make coaches, coaches don’t make players at this level,” Mott continued “There’s no doubt it was a real advantage in Australia to have some Australian coaches around.
“A lot of people just said I got my mates in to do the role. But both of those appointments were suggested by players within our group and had worked with both of them before.”