England`s Test coach Brendon McCullum views Ben Stokes` abrupt decision to retire from ODIs as an "absolute positive" but is not sure if this would become a trend for other players, given cricket`s taxing schedule. The 2019 Word Cup final hero Ben Stokes on Monday made a surprise announcement to retire from the 50-over format, saying playing three formats has become "unsustainable" for him. "Yeah of course I am," McCullum told SENZ Breakfast when asked if he was happy with Stokes` decision. He was asked if Stokes` move could become a trend for other players around the world. "There are not too many all-format players," the former New Zealand captain said.

"He`s probably in a luxurious position that he`s able to do that, but also with the demands of the schedules and with his heightened schedule as Test captain, it would`ve become too much. He also has a young family and there`s a lot going on. "I don`t know if it`s symbolic of where the game itself is at around the globe, but I see it as an absolute positive to be honest. "I`m looking forward to being able to spend even more time with `Stokesy` trying to get this thing cracking."

It came as a shock to many given his age -- he is only 31 -- but McCullum looked at Stokes one-day retirement differently. "Obviously we would`ve loved to see Ben Stokes playing in three forms of the game, he`s an out and out superstar and we`ve seen what he`s been able to achieve, but sometimes things have to give way and I look at it as a positive that he`s going to have the time to really immerse himself in the Test side." Stokes` ODI career will forever be remembered for his Player of-the-Match performance in the World Cup final against New Zealand at the Lord`s three years ago.

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