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James Whittaker: Ben Stokes 'too inconsistent for World Cup'

National selector James Whittaker admits that inconsistency is hampering Ben Stokes after the Durham all-rounder was left out of England's World Cup squad.

National selector James Whittaker has admitted that Ben Stokes is currently too inconsistent to merit a place in England's 2015 World Cup squad.

The Durham all-rounder has been in and out of the ODI side over the past 18 months and was omitted from the 15-man party for next year's tournament.

This comes after a disappointing series in Sri Lanka in which Stokes scored only 22 runs in three innings, and failed to take a wicket, but Whittaker is still adamant that the 23-year-old has a big England future.

"I've spoken to Ben Stokes at length and he's obviously very disappointed," he told Sky Sports News.

"It's always going to be tricky as a new player establishing yourself - it's consistency we're looking for and we're sure that will arrive with Ben. He's definitely a player for the future."

Stokes, Harry Gurney and captain Alastair Cook were the three players axed from the squad which lost 5-2 to Sri Lanka, with Gary Ballance and senior bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson recalled.

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Notts batsman James Taylor plays a shot against Warwickshire on July 17, 2013
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