03 February 2023 , 09:30
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Nasser Hussain says Ben Stokes is the "final bit of the jigsaw" England need for their 50-over World Cup defence, with white-ball coach Matthew Mott hoping to tempt the all-rounder out of ODI retirement.
Stokes walked away from the format last year due to the "unsustainable" schedule, leaving a hole in England's side that has yet to be filled. Earlier this month, Mott said Stokes was "non-committal" about a return and said England would "leave the door open" for him ahead of the tournament.
England have struggled to replace Stokes' all-round skills and he has proven himself to be a "match winner under pressure" in the biggest of games. Stokes scored unbeaten half-centuries in both England's 50-over World Cup win in 2019 and their T20 World Cup win last year, as well as one of the greatest hundreds in Test history to keep the 2019 Ashes series alive.
And Hussain believes England could tempt him back for another World Cup if he leads England to Ashes victory this summer. "When do you ask him the question? Now? But all he'll say is 'I'm retired'," Hussain said on Sky Sports.
"Ben Stokes at the moment is officially retired. All these bits of the jigsaw have to fit in, he is the final bit because he is that match winner under pressure.
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"Look what India have done, India have gone unbeaten at home for about three years now in white-ball cricket, but in tournament play, at just the wrong time in a knockout game, they can't get over the line.
Stokes retired from ODIs last year, playing his last game against South Africa in July (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)"England when they get to those crucial moments in any format, there is one individual that stands up. He is the final bit of the jigsaw.
"I think just after England win the Ashes this summer, I'd be ringing Ben up and saying 'do you fancy making it a World T20 win, an Ashes win and a World Cup win in the space of a year?'
"When he's absolutely at his highest, loving life and loving the game, 'Ben, do you want to take it one-step further?'. We joke but I think deep down he knows he's got that trump card if he needs it."