Ben Stokes AGREES to come out of ODI retirement and help England defend 50-over World Cup… with the talisman to be named in squad for New Zealand series on Wednesday

Ben Stokes will be included in England’s one-day squad for next month’s four-game series against New Zealand on Wednesday, in a bid to get him ready for the World Cup in India in October.

Mail Sport revealed that England white-ball coach Matthew Mott had approached Stokes about coming out of retirement one day to help Jos Buttler’s team defend the trophy they won against the New Zealanders in 2019 Zeelanders had won at Lord’s.

And Stokes, who played the most recent of his 105 ODIs in July 2022, would have agreed, even though his troublesome left knee will likely only see him play as a batsman – ending speculation that he will for now. undergo surgery on the joint.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer could also still be chosen for the World Cup, although the deadline for teams to announce a provisional 18-man roster is not until September 5.

Archer’s most likely return to the England colors after a long absence with an elbow problem will be for the three-match ODI series against Ireland which begins on September 20.

England whiteball coach Matthew Mott made an impassioned plea to get Stokes back

The World Cup squad does not have to be reduced to the last 15 until September 28.

The New Zealand series, meanwhile, kicks off on September 8 and will be preceded by four T20 matches against the same opponents.

Stokes, who recently captained his country to a 2-2 draw in the Ashes, comes out unscathed, the stage set for a dramatic comeback to the biggest stage.

England’s first World Cup match will take place on October 5 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.