ENG v NZ 2023: Ben Stokes unretires from ODIs as ECB announces England white-ball squads for New Zealand series

England to play 4 ODIs and 4 T20Is against New Zealand at home starting August 30.

Ben Stokes’ retirement from the 50-over international cricket format ended as he was named in England’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series at home. The ECB also announced the T20I squad against the Blackcaps on August 16, 2023.

England is set to play 4 ODIs and 4 T20Is against New Zealand starting with the T20Is from August 30 onwards. The four T20Is will be played on August 30 in Chester-Le-Street, on September 1 in Manchester, on September 3 in Birmingham, and on September 5 in Nottingham.

The ODIs will be played on September 8 in Cardiff, on September 10 in Southampton, on September 13 at the Oval, and on September 15 at the Lord’s.

England white-ball coach Matthew Mott had revealed that captain Jos Buttler would be having a word with all-rounder Ben Stokes about coming out of his ODI retirement and playing in the upcoming World Cup in India.

And seemingly Buttler was able to convince Stokes to unretire as the England and Wales Cricket Board included him in the squad for the New Zealand ODI series.

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Stokes is one of nine players in the squad who were part of that successful World Cup campaign four years ago.

England Men’s National Selector, Luke Wright, said: “We have been able to name two extremely strong squads that underline the depth of talent we enjoy in white-ball cricket. The return of Ben Stokes only adds to that quality with his match-winning ability and leadership. I am certain that every fan will enjoy seeing him back in an England ODI shirt again.”

Notably, the same ODI squad for the New Zealand series is also England's provisional squad for upcoming ICC ODI World Cup to be played in India. One big miss is that of Jofra Archer, who was not included. 

However, further changes can be made to the provisional squad until 28 September.

There is also a place for uncapped Surrey fast bowler Gus Atkinson, whose performances for Oval Invincibles, including hitting 95 miles per hour, have catapulted the 25-year-old into World Cup contention.

“We’re also excited to give first international call-ups to both Gus Atkinson and John Turner while Josh Tongue has deserved a place in the T20 squad after impressing during the Ashes. NY series against New Zealand is closely fought and will provide us with an ideal opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world,” Wright added.

However, Jofra Archer and Harry Brook are the names missing from ODIs, while Brook was included in the T20I squad.

England ODI squad for the New Zealand series:

Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.

England T20I squad for the New Zealand series:

Jos Buttler (C), Rehan Ahmed, Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, John Turner, Luke Wood

(ECB inputs)