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Mark Wood responds to Ben Stokes' retirement from ODIs

England pacer Mark Wood has stated that he's 'sad' but not 'shocked' with Ben Stokes' decision to call it quits from One-Day Internationals (ODIs). On Monday, Stokes, 31, shocked the cricketing world when he announced that the 1st ODI against South Africa in Durham will be his last in 50-over cricket. In his statement, Stokes wrote that given the current scheduling, he cannot possibly commit to all three formats simultaneously and would instead invest all his energy while playing Tests and T20Is. Reacting to Stokes' decision ahead of the 1st ODI against the Proteas, Wood said that while he is sad, he understands the marquee all-rounder's decision as it is inconceivable at this point to commit to everything. Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar positive about helping Virat Kohli "It honestly has. I was a bit sad to be honest more than anything. I won't say "shocked" because with the schedule, the way it is, you just can't do everything. I was shocked because I spoke to him in the morning because he didn't tell me, he told me later on. I'm just sad," Wood told Sky Sports. Stokes will always be remembered for his match-winning performance in the 2019 ODI World Cup final, where he scored an unbeaten 84 against New Zealand to enforce a Super Over, which England won via boundary count. ‘In the dressing room, he looks after people’- Wood on Stokes Stokes has scored close to 3000 ODI runs besides taking 74 wickets. But, according to Wood, more than Stokes' numbers, it's his presence in the dressing room and his leadership persona that England will miss the most. Also Read: Wood ruled out of English summer, eyes T20 WC 2022 for comeback "People in that dressing room still look up to Stokesy. He cares about everyone in that dressing room. He makes sure everyone is alright, puts an arm around them. You may not see it on the field, but definitely, in the dressing room, he looks after people. He is a big miss from that point of view. He is a leader, a natural leader. He will be a big miss not just from stats point-of-view but from who he is in the dressing room," he said. Meanwhile, South Africa are going along nicely in the ongoing Durham ODI. At the time of writing, South Africa posted 333 in their inning, losing five wickets in the process. Stokes will look to play a match-winning knock and bow out on a high.

Mark Wood ruled out of England summer, eyes T20 WC 2022 for comeback

England pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out for the remainder of the summer. Wood, who last played for 'The Three Lions' in March against West Indies in Antigua, is nursing an elbow injury. The 32-year-old played for the Ashington club last weekend, which saw his injury flare up again. He will now undergo a second surgery and will look to regain fitness ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in October. Speaking on Test Match Special, he said, "The road to recovery isn't going well. I am off again, for probably more surgery, on Sunday. I'm off again for probably more surgery on Saturday. Played a club game to see what it was like tested it out, so unfortunately it's not pulled up well. To be ready for the World Cup, I'm going to have to get that done. It is the same elbow, there is pain in the same spot." Also Read: SL vs PAK | Abdullah Shafique achieves unique feat Wood further explained how his elbow felt after returning to cricket over the weekend for Ashington. "I've been bowling for the last two or three weeks in the nets, top speed also off my full run-up. But it just seems to keep deteriorating. When I played that club game it was an indication in a match of how does it actually feel. The next day… I can straighten my left arm fully, but my right arm is still sort of bent a little bit. Unfortunately, it's blocked at the back. There must be something going on there I must need fixed," Wood added. The focus has always been the Twenty20 World Cup: Wood Wood, who spearheaded Australia's attack in The Ashes last year, defended his decision to play for his home club on Sunday (July 17). "The focus has always been the Twenty20 World Cup. I was desperate to just play any game, so it was nice to play for Ashington, my home club, and just play a match because I feel I've worked so hard over the last three months to get it right. I'm a bit sad and frustrated now, but what can I do? I've given it as good a shot as I could," the Durham player concluded. Wood has played 23 Tests, 57 ODIs, and 19 T20Is for England. READ: Ben Stokes bids adieu to ODI cricket

Ben Stokes' retirement decision selfless: Rob Key

England's newly appointed Test captain Ben Stokes is slated to retire from the ODI format after the ongoing game against South Africa at his home ground in Chester-le-Street, Durham. Stokes has said playing all the three formats is unsustainable for him now, considering the demanding schedule ahead. Rob Key believes the decision is selfless England's Managing Director of Cricket Rob Key has said that the decision taken by Stokes is entirely selfless, taken to ensure his future in the other two formats. Although, it might require tinkering with his current contract. "It may well end up having financial implications to Ben Stokes in terms of his contract," Key said while speaking to Sky Sports. Also Read: Nasser Hussain reacts to Ben Stokes' ODI retirement "That's why it's a selfless decision, he could easily have said 'no, no, I'm the key' and kept getting picked in the 50-over team," he added. Stokes' retirement has come as a shock to many but Key said he is unsurprised by the decision. "I was probably surprised at the timing but I'm not surprised that he's had to give one format away. I think it's a good decision from Ben that England will benefit from in the long term," The schedule needs to be looked upon believes Key Key also said he expects the ICC and other boards to have a relook at the schedule going ahead. "What it really needs is all the boards, the ICC and everyone, to come up with something that's manageable. Actually come up with something so that everyone gets what you want out of it: the players, the boards, the broadcasters, so that we get something that's a bit more manageable. It's not going to be easy but that's what it needs," he concluded.

Nasser Hussain reacts to Ben Stokes' ODI retirement

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has expressed his surprise after Ben Stokes announced his retirement from ODI cricket and feels the 'crazy' cricket schedule is to blame. On Monday, Stokes, 31, shocked the entire cricketing fraternity by announcing his sudden retirement from ODI cricket. Nasser surprised by Stokes' decision While reacting to Stokes' announcement on Sky Sports, the popular broadcaster stated that the decision surprised him to the core. Also Read: Kohli pays the ultimate tribute to Ben Stokes "It came as a surprise, to be honest. You thought he would be looked after, in terms of being rested from various white-ball tournaments and formats - he'd already announced he was going to miss white-ball series' and The Hundred," said Hussain. Stokes said playing all three formats of the game for England was 'unsustainable' for him, and Nasser was taken aback by his announcement. 'Cricketing schedule is absolutely crazy' The cricketer-turned commentator reasoned the 'hectic cricket schedule' behind Stokes' retirement. "To completely knock 50-over cricket on the head is a massive surprise. I guess it's the schedule. The cricketing schedule is absolutely crazy at the moment," the Chennai-born said. Also Read: Stokes: The redemption that revolutionized English cricket Nasser also talked about how it is getting challenging to focus on all three formats at once; hence players are giving up on formats. "If you just play in the one format - say Test matches - it's absolutely fine. But if you're a multi-format, multi-dimensional player, and even a Test match captain like Stokes, who throws himself into his job 100 per cent on and off the field, eventually something's going to have to give," the 54-year-old concluded.