Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket. The England captain announced his decision on Day 4 of the Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. He told his team-mates in the dressing room before the day’s play.
The news became public shortly before tea. Stokes marked the moment with a wicket on the very next ball he bowled.
How Stokes Told the Dressing Room
Stokes informed the squad in measured fashion that morning. “This is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England,” he said. He then asked his team-mates to keep the emotion at bay until the final ball was bowled.
“All the emotion, all that kind of stuff, please, can we just wait for the end of the game?” he added. The message was simple. There was still a Test to be won.
A Final Spell Worthy of His Career
Stokes bowled 11 of the 23 overs in the post-lunch session. New Zealand could manage only 54 runs and lost four wickets in that period. The visitors went 16.2 overs without a boundary.
Just after the news broke, Stokes had Zakary Foulkes caught at slip by Harry Brook. The Trent Bridge crowd rose as one. Family in the stands joined the applause. It was Test cricket and Ben Stokes at their joint best.
Guard of Honour and Final Innings
New Zealand declared their second innings to set England a chase of 373. Stokes walked out to open with Ben Duckett for what would be his final Test innings. The New Zealand players formed a guard of honour at the crease.
He made 30 from 20 balls with two fours and two sixes before falling to Foulkes. Daryl Mitchell took a fine diving catch. Players from both sides gathered to applaud him off.
A Career That Reshaped English Cricket
The Headingley chase in 2019. The 2019 World Cup final super over. The transformation of England’s Test approach under his captaincy. Stokes leaves the international game as one of the most influential English cricketers of his generation.
He is expected to continue in county and franchise cricket. International cricket, however, has lost one of its leading figures.
