Nasser Hussain reacts to Ben Stokes' ODI retirement

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has expressed his surprise after Ben Stokes announced his retirement from ODI cricket and feels the 'crazy' cricket schedule is to blame.

On Monday, Stokes, 31, shocked the entire cricketing fraternity by announcing his sudden retirement from ODI cricket.

Nasser surprised by Stokes' decision

While reacting to Stokes' announcement on Sky Sports, the popular broadcaster stated that the decision surprised him to the core. 

Also Read: Kohli pays the ultimate tribute to Ben Stokes

"It came as a surprise, to be honest. You thought he would be looked after, in terms of being rested from various white-ball tournaments and formats - he'd already announced he was going to miss white-ball series' and The Hundred," said Hussain.

Stokes said playing all three formats of the game for England was 'unsustainable' for him, and Nasser was taken aback by his announcement. 

'Cricketing schedule is absolutely crazy'

The cricketer-turned commentator reasoned the 'hectic cricket schedule' behind Stokes' retirement.

"To completely knock 50-over cricket on the head is a massive surprise. I guess it's the schedule. The cricketing schedule is absolutely crazy at the moment," the Chennai-born said.

Also Read: Stokes - The redemption that revolutionized English cricket

Nasser also talked about how it is getting challenging to focus on all three formats at once; hence players are giving up on formats.

"If you just play in the one format - say Test matches - it's absolutely fine. But if you're a multi-format, multi-dimensional player, and even a Test match captain like Stokes, who throws himself into his job 100 per cent on and off the field, eventually something's going to have to give," the 54-year-old concluded.