Ben Stokes walked out for the last time in his ODI career on Tuesday when he took the field in the first ODI against South Africa at Riverside Ground in Chester-Le-Street. Having announced that the England cricketer will call it a day after he plays against South Africa, Stokes looked emotional when he walked out. Jos Buttler also gave Stokes the honor to lead the team onto the field in his farewell match.
Playing his last ODI on his home ground, the 31-year-old also got a great reception from the crowd. England’s hero at the 2019 World Cup Final, Ben Stokes also ignited some emotional tweets from his fans when he took the field on Tuesday. Many posted emotional messages for the English all-rounder lauding him for his contributions so far.
“Take a bow, Ben Stokes. It has always been a pleasure watching you play cricket. One of the best all-rounders world has ever witnessed. Hope to see you in the next IPL season. IPL is incomplete without you. Respect from India,” wrote one user on Twitter.
Take a bow Ben Stokes. It has always been a pleasure watching you play cricket. One of the best all rounder world has ever witnessed. Hope to see you in next IPL season. IPL is incomplete without you. Respect from India ? ??
— Karansinh Jadhav (@Karan64653988) July 19, 2022
Meanwhile, a few called him a legend. A user also predicted that Stokes will retire as one of England’s top three cricketers. “Ben Stokes is surely gonna retire as one of Englands top 3 cricketers of all time what a player,” the user wrote.
Ben Stokes is surely gonna retire as one of Englands top 3 cricketers of all time what a player #ENGvSA
— King_Giroud? (@KingGiroud18) July 19, 2022
Check out other reactions here:
@benstokes38 Legend. England will remember its first world cup win ?
— Santhosh N (Single) (@santhosh0510n) July 19, 2022
He will always be a legend can't forget him ❤️
— Labeeb Waheed (@labeeb_waheed) July 19, 2022
You’ll always be remembered Ben Stokes in this format of the game, the ODI cricket, no one will ever forget your 2019 WC campaign, especially your heroics in the Final, one of the best knocks of the decade. Hope you give your best in the rest 2 formats.#ENGvSA @benstokes38 pic.twitter.com/EXmvgsQnNw
— Neelabh (@CricNeelabh) July 19, 2022
I know that he’s not fully retiring, but Ben Stokes retiring from odi’s has made me properly sad, definitely one of my sporting heroes, gonna hate the day he gives it all up for good
— Joe Murrell (@joemurrell_BITW) July 19, 2022
I do feel quite old that Ben Stokes is retiring from ODIs. Seems like yesterday he had just made his debut
— Met. (@AFCMet) July 19, 2022
Notably, the 31-year-old England cricketer announced his retirement from ODIs on Monday stating that playing all three formats is not sustainable for him. “Three formats are just unsustainable for me now. Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos and the rest of the team their all,” wrote Stokes in his retirement note.
