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.
Joe Fish
