Ben Stokes’ one-day international retirement a ‘selfless decision’ – Rob Key

Rob Key believes Ben Stokes acted altruistically in retiring from one-day internationals, especially as the England Test captain’s decision may come with “financial implications”.

Stokes, England’s 2019 World Cup final hero, will make his 105th and final ODI appearance at his home ground of Chester-le-Street against South Africa on Tuesday after his shock announcement 24 hours earlier.

An “unsustainable” schedule was cited as a major factor and Key, whose first act upon being appointed as managing director of men’s cricket was to install Stokes as Test skipper, was unsurprised.

While the monetary terms of Stokes’ central contract could come under review, Key feels England’s Test and Twenty20 teams will stand to gain enormously from the all-rounder lightening his workload.

“It may well end up having financial implications to Ben Stokes in terms of his contract,” Key said on Sky Sports News.

“That’s why it’s a selfless decision, he could easily have said ‘no, no, I’m the key’ and kept getting picked in the 50-over team.

“But he wants to do the Test job as best as he can, he wants to take England’s Test team forward.

He could easily have said 'no, no, I'm the key' and kept getting picked in the 50-over team- Rob Key

“I was probably surprised at the timing but I’m not surprised that he’s had to give one format away. I think it’s a good decision from Ben that England will benefit from in the long term.”

Key, who spoke to Stokes about his decision last Thursday, thinks the 31-year-old was also motivated by his desire to continue being a presence in both batting and bowling disciplines in the Test side.

“Him bowling is actually the thing he wants to be able to do, he doesn’t just want to go and be a batter, he wants to be able