‘Me, me, me’: Tim Paine slams Ben Stokes World Cup comeback

While England fans are ecstatic about Ben Stokes returning from ODI retirement to play in the next World Cup 2023, former Australia Test captain Tim Paine has criticised Stokes for being selfish, costing rookie batter Harry Brook his place in the World Cup squad.

Stokes quit from One-Day Internationals in July of last year, stating it as "unsustainable" for him to play all three forms while simultaneously guiding England in Test cricket.

With England not playing Test cricket until January 2024, England's hero of the 2019 World Cup final, Ben Stokes, has decided to unretire and return for the World Cup, when England will be attempting to defend their ODI world champions title.

If Ben Stokes had not returned, Harry Brook would very certainly have made England's World Cup squad.

Because of his chronic knee injury, selectors Luke Wright and white-ball coach Matthew Mott have declared that Stokes will primarily play as a batsman, which meant he bowled only a few overs in the previous Ashes and will not bowl much in the World Cup.

‘Me, me, me’: Tim Paine on Ben Stokes’ decision to unretire

Tim Paine was dissatisfied by Stokes' decision to come out of retirement to compete in the World Cup after being out of the ODI format for the previous 12 months. Paine chastised Stokes for deciding when he wanted to play and taking Brook's place.

Tim Paine told SEN Tassie, "I found Ben Stokes coming out of one day retirement interesting." Wasn't it a case of 'Me, me, me'? It was 'I'll pick and choose where and when I want to play,' and 'I'll participate in the big events.'"

"'Sorry, thanks,' said the boys who played for a year. But could you please go sit on the bench because I need to play right now?' "I'm not sure, he's not bowling," Paine explained.

"Will it be Harry Brook or Ben Stokes?" As if I were a bat. It would be extremely close, extremely close."

England’s provisional squad for the World Cup: Jos Buttler (C), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran,Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.