ESPNcricinfo
Ben Stokes announced a shock retirement from international cricket on the penultimate day of England’s Test series decider against New Zealand. His decision will bring a 15-year England career and a four-year tenure as Test captain to a close at the end of the ongoing third Test at Trent Bridge.
Stokes told his team-mates and the ECB his decision on Sunday morning, before the start of play. He was visibly emotional and choked up when he spoke in the dressing room, imploring his team-mates to “go out there and f***ing give absolutely everything for another two days”. He was given a standing ovation by England’s players and coaching staff.
Stokes told his team-mates that “reason can wait [as to] why” he had retired, but his decision comes soon after he missed the second Test at The Oval on disciplinary grounds. He was not considered for selection while the ECB and the Cricket Regulator investigated his celebrations following England’s win at Lord’s, and he was later cleared of any serious wrongdoing.
He had hinted at the possibility that this Test could be his last in his pre-match press conference. Stokes was asked whether he was committed to seeing out the rest of his central contract, which runs until September 2027, and said only: “I am very clear that I am focused on the outcome of this week.”
The ECB announced the news shortly before tea on the fourth day at Trent Bridge, just after Stokes had completed the 10th over of a second mammoth spell. He received a rousing ovation from the crowd when he returned for an 11th, and immediately had Zak Foulkes caught at second slip off the following delivery, prompting wild celebrations.
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