Ben Stokes will retire as England Men’s Test captain and from international cricket at the end of their series with New Zealand.
The announcement was made during the afternoon session on the fourth day of the series decider at Trent Bridge, while he was bowling, with Stokes then taking a wicket with the first ball after the news broke.
The Durham all-rounder made his white-ball debut in 2011 and his Test debut during the 2013/14 Ashes series in Australia, with Stokes captaining the Test side since April 2022.
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Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad react to Ben Stokes announcing his international retirement and reflect on his legendary career
Stokes’ future was questioned when he was left out of the second Test against New Zealand earlier this month, following an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub.
The 35-year-old returned as captain for the series decider against New Zealand, where he told England team-mates of his decision to end his glittering international career before the fourth day against the Black Caps.
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Ben Stokes announces his international retirement inside England’s dressing room ahead of day four against New Zealand
In a message to the England team before day four, Stokes said: “This is my last two days as your captain and the last two days representing England.
“The reasons can wait why, but I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and I’ve got one more trip to do.
“We’ve got a lot of hard work to do and the only thing I want is to be able to walk off that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I’ve had this group give everything for the last two days.
“That’s the only thing I want is for everyone to give it, not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team and everything else we’ve got going forward or you blokes.
“I’ve got the emotional side out of it. Now it’s time to go to work. Please, everyone else come with me.”
Stokes – who has made 122 Test appearances for England – is one of only two players in history to score over 7,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in Tests.
Ben Stokes’ Test career in numbers, at the time of him announcing his retirement
He walked off the field to a standing ovation at tea, shortly after his retirement had been announced, with Stokes then receiving a guard of honour from his England team-mates as he returned to the field for the evening session.
Stokes retires as ‘one of England’s greatest’
Stokes has been involved in numerous generational highlights during his lengthy England career, firing an unbeaten 84 during the 2019 ICC World Cup Final against New Zealand that was won in a Super Over.
His highest Test score was a brutal 258 off 198 balls against South Africa in 2016, while his unbeaten 135 at Headingley during the third Ashes Test against Australia in 2019 dragged England to one of their most dramatic victories.
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Australia reflect on their own memories of Ben Stokes’ Headingley heroics in 2019, where England snatched a one-wicket win to keep the series alive
Richard Thompson, ECB chair, said: “Ben Stokes leaves the international game as one of England’s greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation.
“His performances under pressure, his relentless competitiveness and his ability to produce the extraordinary when it matters most have given me and millions of other fans memories that will endure forever.
“Beyond his remarkable achievements on the field, his performances have inspired many youngsters to embrace cricket with positivity and belief. We are losing a batsman, a bowler, a captain and a talisman.”
Former England bowler Stuart Broad added on Sky Sports Cricket: “He was incredible [to play with]. It always had that feeling that he’d run through a brick wall, as he has done so many times.
“He wants to be in the game at all times, whether it’s easy or hard. It was almost as if the harder it got, the more he wanted to bat or bowl. As a team-mate, you can’t help but respect him and love him.”
Richard Gould, ECB chief executive officer, added: “Ben Stokes has made an immeasurable contribution to English cricket, not only through his exceptional skill as one of the world’s finest all-rounders, but through the commitment, resilience and passion he has demonstrated throughout his international career.
“His influence has extended far beyond statistics – inspiring team-mates, supporters and young cricketers around the world through his leadership and unwavering desire to win. We are enormously grateful for his service to England and congratulate him on an extraordinary international career.
“His contribution to the game will be celebrated for many years to come.”
