SA vs ENG: Ben Stokes points out reason behind England's recent struggles in ODI cricket

England's woes in ODIs continue to haunt them as they lost the opening ODI of the ongoing three-match series against South Africa by 27 runs on Friday (January 27). This was their fourth straight loss in ODIs after a 0-3 loss to Australia immediately after their T20 World Cup triumph. And with the 2023 ODI World Cup approaching fast, the defending champions need to sort out their 'issues'.

After their disappointing loss to South Africa in the first ODI in Bloemfontein, Wisden asked the biggest issue England are facing in ODIs in their latest Tweet on Saturday. England's red-ball skipper Ben Stokes replied to the Tweet with a cryptic comment. He wrote, "Begins with S ends with E and has chedul in there as well."

Stokes, at his peak, announced his retirement from ODIs last year to focus on Test and T20I cricket. Stokes was the hero for England with his Player of the Match performance against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup final.

Ben Stokes would be welcomed back with open arms: Jos Buttler

England are missing the likes of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone on their ongoing tour of South Africa. Harry Brook made his ODI debut in the first match on Friday but failed to carry his red-hot form in Tests to ODIs.

Earlier this week, England's current white-ball captain Jos Buttler also stated that he is open to the idea of Stokes' return to ODIs. "If he wants to change his decision, of course he'd be welcomed back with open arms but we are very much at the moment planning as if he won't be available," Buttler said while addressing the media ahead of the first ODI against the Proteas.