When England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced their provisional squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup two weeks ago, there was a notable inclusion in it.
Ben Stokes was named in the 15-member squad after the leading all-rounder reversed his ODI retirement decision.
Notably, Stokes, who played a key role in England’s 2019 ODI World Cup triumph, had called time on his 50-over career in July last year, citing that he was not able to give his 100 percent and playing all three formats amid a busy schedule is "unsustainable" for him.
However, the 32-year-old made a U-turn on his retirement call and England selectors were more than happy to greet him back into the ODI squad.
England’s white-ball skipper Jos Buttler is also "delighted" to have the services of Stokes for the quadrennial event, slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
"It's excellent news on all fronts, it's great for cricket to have a superstar like Ben Stokes in a World Cup," Buttler was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"You want to see those players in those major showpiece events so it's fantastic that he's made himself available. When a player of that calibre is available again, it's a no-brainer really that you want them back in your team," the England captain said.
"You look at the impact he has in every game he plays really, but especially in the last couple of World Cups, he's the man in the middle with the crucial moment. We're delighted to have him back, it's not just the cricket but everything else he brings to the group," he added.
Buttler revealed that Stokes made his decision after the conclusion of the Ashes 2023 while also adding that the latter will return to the ODI squad as a specialist batter.
"Ben and I caught up during the IPL, had some good conversations about what he wanted to achieve in the year, so him coming to me and saying that the Ashes is his main priority, but if he could come through that physically he'd like to be considered for the World Cup," he said.
"So I just left it at that and said you let me know after the Ashes how you're feeling. We spoke after that, he said he'd be available as a batter and that was enough for me to just say, 'brilliant, can't wait to have you back'," Buttler added.
England will begin their 2023 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on October 5 in Ahmedabad.