Nasser Hussain blames ‘joke’ schedule for Ben Stokes’ ODI retirement

The England Test captain has called time on his one-day international career

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has criticised cricket’s schedule after Ben Stokes’ decision to retire from the 50-over format (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Archive)

Nasser Hussain has criticised cricket’s “joke” schedule after lamenting Ben Stokes’ shock retirement from one-day internationals.

Stokes, England’s Test captain, called time on the 50-over game at the age of 31 and just three years after playing a starring role in his country’s 2019 World Cup final success.

Since that historic moment, Stokes has played just nine more times in the 50-over format due to injuries, a mental health break and workload management – and his statement to retire from ODI cricket referenced an “unsustainable” schedule.