Stokes, England’s 2019 World Cup final hero, will make his 105th and final ODI appearance at home in Chester-le-Street against South Africa today following his shock announcement yesterday. An “unsustainable” schedule was cited as a major factor and Key, whose first act when appointed chief executive of men’s cricket was to install Stokes as Test captain, is not surprised. While the financial terms of Stokes’ central contract could be under review, Key believes England’s Test and Twenty20 sides will stand to gain hugely from the all-rounder reducing his workload. “It could end up having financial implications for Ben Stokes in terms of his contract,” Key told Sky Sports News. “That’s why it’s an unselfish decision, he could easily have said ‘no, no, I’m the key’ and he went on to be selected in the 50-man squad. “But he wants to do the Test job as well as he can, he wants to take the England Test team forward. “I was probably surprised at the timing but I’m not surprised he had to give a shape away. I think it’s a good decision by Ben that England will benefit from in the long run.” Kay, who spoke to Stokes about his decision last Thursday, believes the 31-year-old was also motivated by his desire to continue to be a presence in both the batting and bowling disciplines in the Test side. “Bowling is actually the thing he wants to do, he doesn’t just want to go and be a batsman, he wants to be able to contribute as an all-rounder,” Key said. “To do that he thinks that’s the best way. I hope and bet that’s what gets him to 120 more Test matches.” Stokes’ drop from form has led to questions about England’s congested schedule, with 12 white-ball matches crammed into 25 days this month, while they also have seven Tests this summer. Less than a week after their last Test at home in September, they are set to leave for Pakistan for seven T20s. Then there’s a white-ball tour of Australia, including the T20 World Cup, before returning to Pakistan for a Test series – all before Christmas. “What is really needed is for all the councils, the ICC and everybody, to come up with something that is manageable,” Key added. “Actually create something so that everybody gets what you want out of it: the players, the boards, the broadcasters, so that we have something that’s a bit more manageable. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s what’s needed.”
