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Ben Stokes says he has \u201cno idea\u201d if England\u2019s final World Cup outing will also be his farewell to one-day internationals.<\/p>\n
Stokes retired from the 50-over format in 2022 citing an unsustainable workload, only to be tempted back to take part in England\u2019s title defence.<\/p>\n
Things have veered badly off script since he arrived in India, where he missed the first three matches with a hip injury and was unable to stop his side crashing out after six defeats from seven games.<\/p>\n
But the man who did more than anyone to make England world champions at Lord\u2019s four years ago offered a reminder of his talents with a match-winning century against the Netherlands on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
England were grateful Stokes did not bring forward an upcoming knee operation once the semi-finals were out of reach \u2013 a notion he rejected out of hand with the mantra \u201cnever leave early, never take the easy way out, never leave your team-mates hanging\u201d \u2013 but Saturday\u2019s engagement with Pakistan will surely be his last stand.<\/p>\n
With his primary focus on his role as Test captain, a T20 World Cup next summer and a period of post-surgery rehabilitation coming up, he is already being stretched thin.<\/p>\n
But, asked directly if he was set for a second retirement, he kept his cards close to his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve no idea,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure there will be a conversation but I don\u2019t know when that will be. I have used the time between games here to give myself a better opportunity after the surgery.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the work in the gym doesn\u2019t compare to what you go through out there. I\u2019m looking forward to getting it sorted and not having to worry like I have these past 18 months. From a physical point of view I\u2019m better off than when I first got out here, but physical fitness and cricket fitness are two different things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stokes had hoped to add another triumphant chapter to his World Cup story, adding to his starring roles in the 2019 final and the T20 success in Melbourne last autumn, but is now playing for a significantly lesser prize.<\/p>\n
A 160-run win over the Dutch put England back on track to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with a top-eight finish needed to book their place at the competition.<\/p>\n
Victory over semi-final hopefuls Pakistan should be enough to make it official and, even if that gets Stokes\u2019 competitive juices flowing again, he will be leaving unfulfilled.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m there or not \u2013 who knows \u2013 I don\u2019t think leaving here there\u2019s any satisfaction for anyone to be honest, it\u2019s been a very disappointing World Cup,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know we have performed nowhere near as well as we should have done at this World Cup. It was bittersweet to walk off with a victory because everything feels a lot better but we\u2019re still very disappointed with how we\u2019ve gone as a side.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately it\u2019s not happened for us but we know how big this Pakistan game is. They are a quality team and we know the threat they pose to every team before a ball is bowled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s one massive game left for the future, with another tournament coming up. It\u2019s not just a game to finish off a World Cup then go home, we\u2019d love to leave with a winning feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n