England captain Ben Stokes has announced his decision to retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the ongoing third Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The 35-year-old informed his teammates of his choice before play commenced on the fourth day.
Stokes' retirement comes after a period of scrutiny, having missed the previous Test at the Oval due to an investigation by the Cricket Regulator and ECB. The investigation stemmed from an incident following England's victory in the first Test at Lord's. Stokes had returned to captain the side for the current series-deciding match.
During his 15-year career, Stokes has been a pivotal figure for England, notably leading the team to World Cup victories in 2019 and 2022. His performance in the 2019 Ashes Test at Headingley is also considered one of his most heroic innings.
ECB chair Richard Thompson acknowledged Stokes' impact, stating, "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."
Thompson further lauded Stokes as a "talismanic figure" whose achievements have inspired many young people to engage with cricket. The ECB expressed gratitude for his contributions and wished him and his family future success. Stokes had previously indicated his focus was solely on the current series leading up to this announcement.