Ben Stokes retires from international cricket during NZ Test
England captain Ben Stokes has announced he will retire from international cricket at the end of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The 35-year-old revealed the decision mid-match on day four while bowling, ending a 15-year England career that included World Cup glory and transformative Test captaincy.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Stokes will step down as England men's Test captain and retire from international cricket after the series decider at Trent Bridge.
- The announcement came during the afternoon session on day four, while Stokes was bowling; he took a wicket with his first delivery after the news broke.
- Stokes told team-mates before play that these were his last two days as captain and as an England player, though he said the reasons could wait.
- He leaves with 122 Test caps, 7,243 runs and 251 wickets, plus iconic moments including the 2019 World Cup final and Headingley Ashes heroics.
- England are expected to name a successor, likely vice-captain Harry Brook, before the Pakistan Test at Headingley in August.
Why did Ben Stokes retire during the New Zealand Test?
Stokes made the announcement in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. According to BBC Sport, the Durham all-rounder was in the middle of a bowling spell at Trent Bridge when a statement confirmed his intention to end a 15-year international career.
He had told England team-mates of his decision before the fourth day of the deciding Test against the Black Caps. In an emotional dressing-room message, Stokes said: "The reasons can wait, why, but I've had many trips to the well before for this team... and I've got one more trip to do."
Stokes asked his team to give everything for the final two days. He added: "I've got the emotional side out of it, now it's time to go to work. Please, everyone else come with me."
What happened on the field after the announcement?
The timing turned an already tense series decider into an instant sporting spectacle. Sky Sports reported that Stokes took a wicket with the first ball after his retirement became public, having Zak Foulkes caught at second slip by vice-captain Harry Brook.
Stokes walked off at tea to a standing ovation from the Trent Bridge crowd. He then received a guard of honour from team-mates when he returned for the evening session. The 35-year-old had just completed his 10th successive over after lunch when news filtered around the ground.
What legacy does Ben Stokes leave for England?
Stokes departs as one of England's defining modern cricketers. His unbeaten 84 in the 2019 World Cup final helped England beat New Zealand in a Super Over, and weeks later his 135 not out at Headingley dragged England to a famous Ashes win.
His career haul of 7,243 runs and 251 wickets joins a rare club previously occupied only by Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis. As captain since April 2022, he helped drive the attacking "Bazball" era with head coach Brendon McCullum.
ECB chair Richard Thompson said Stokes leaves "as one of England's greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation." Former team-mate Stuart Broad told Sky Sports Cricket that Stokes "always had that feeling that he'd run through a brick wall."
What happens next for England cricket?
Stokes' exit closes a turbulent chapter. He missed England's second Test against New Zealand after a London nightclub incident involving him and Gus Atkinson, though both were cleared to return for Trent Bridge. Before the match, Stokes had told the BBC he could not picture playing for England without the captaincy.
England will now need a new leader for the Pakistan Test at Headingley in August, with Brook widely tipped as Stokes' successor. For fans tracking how major sports stories break through digital feeds, see more coverage in our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.