Adil Rashid hopes Ben Stokes will come out of retirement for World Cup

Adil Rashid hopes Ben Stokes will come out of ODI retirement for 50-over World Cup defence… and England spinner believes they should gamble on the X-factor of Jofra Archer too

  • England hope to lure Ben Stokes out of ODI retirement for the World Cup 
  • Stokes helped England win the T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup 
  • ICC requires teams to select a provisional World Cup squad by September 5 

Adil Rashid insists that he hopes Ben Stokes will come out of ODI retirement to play for England at the World Cup in India this winter.

‘We’ve won two World Cups with Stokesy so we’re definitely a stronger team with him,’ said England leg-spinner Rashid. 

‘Hopefully he comes out of retirement. That match-winning mentality, especially in those big World Cup moments like we’ve seen before is why he’s so good. Hopefully he’s fit enough and decides to change his mind.’.

As first revealed by Mail Sport, England’s white-ball coach Matthe Mott was keen to see if Stokes would consider reversing his decision.

And Rashid admitted that it would also be worth the risk for England to select Jofra Archer for the World Cup squad despite his elbow injury. 

Adil Rashid hopes Ben Stokes will play for England at the World Cup in India this winter

England want Ben Stokes as a specialist batsman for the defence of the 50-over World Cup

Rashid says it would also be worth the risk to select Jofra Archer despite his elbow injury

The ICC requires teams to select a provisional World Cup squad by September 5 and to finalise their squads by September 28, leaving teams scope to make late changes. England’s final squad will consist of 15 players, along with three travelling reserves.

Speaking at a Hundred event at his cricket centre in Bradford, Rashid said: ‘Yeah, massively (worth the risk). He’s a world-class bowler who has that x-factor and has plenty of experience playing in India. Just like Stokesy, we’re a better team with Jof.’

England will name their squad for the bilateral series against New Zealand on Wednesday morning, with Surrey fast bowler Gus Atkinson in line to earn a maiden call-up. 

Moeen Ali is set to be rested for the Ireland series, before the World Cup in October.

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