Ben Stokes shocked the sporting world last week by announcing his retirement from international cricket.
The decision came after a tumultuous few weeks for the 35-year-old, who found himself making headlines following an alleged brawl outside a London nightclub involving a professional rugby player.
The controversy appears to have played a part in Stokes’ decision to step away from the international game, bringing an end to his England career just a year before the Ashes.
The latest incident came nine years after Stokes was involved in a street fight in 2017, for which he was charged with affray before being cleared.
Sky Bet are offering 7/4 odds for Ben Stokes to play in the 2027 Ashes against Australia
Given the similarities between the two incidents, some have questioned whether retirement was entirely Stokes’ own decision, or whether he was instead nudged towards the exit by the ECB.
With Stokes’ retirement announcement still fresh, speculation continues over whether he has truly called time on his international career.
With the Ashes on the horizon, some fans and pundits believe the all-rounder could yet be tempted out of retirement to feature in the 2027 series against Australia.
For those expecting Stokes to make a sensational return, Sky Bet are offering odds of 7/4 on him playing in the Ashes next year.
For those interested in the bet, the selection is a winner if Stokes is named in the initial squad for the Ashes 2027, or is called up to the squad as an injury replacement.
Stokes has been instrumental to England’s success over the years, with no performance more memorable than his heroic unbeaten 149 at Headingley in the 2019 Ashes.
His remarkable innings inspired one of the greatest victories in England’s Test history and cemented his status as one of the country’s all-time cricketing greats.
- All odds are correct at the time of publication
