England captain Ben Stokes has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, telling his teammates before the start of play on day four of the Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge that he will not represent his country again after the current match.
Emotional Announcement to Teammates
The 35-year-old all-rounder made the revelation to a stunned England dressing room on Sunday, just moments before he took the wicket of Zak Foulkes. "There's something that I know is going to happen over the next two days which is going to be that this is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England," Stokes told his players, leaving Jacob Bethell visibly shocked.
Stokes continued: "Reasons can wait, (in terms of) why, but I've had many trips to the well before for this team, for you boys and for people beforehand. And I've got one more trip to do. And the only thing that I ask please, is that everyone please does the same. We've got a lot of hard work still to do and the only thing that I want is to be able to walk off that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I've had this group of men - and one lady - give everything for the last two days."
He added: "Let's just go out there and give absolutely everything for another two days, alright? That's my only intention and that's where all my energy is right now. Got the emotional side out of the way but now it's time to go to work and everyone else please just come with me."
ECB Pays Tribute
ECB chair Richard Thompson paid tribute to Stokes, saying: "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 highlighted Stokes's key achievements: "Whether inspiring victory in the biggest moments - not least driving England to World Cup wins in 2019 and 2022 and his heroic Ashes innings at Headingley - or leading the Test team with courage and conviction, Ben has been a talismanic figure in English cricket."
"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. On behalf of the ECB, I want to thank Ben for everything he has given to our sport and wish him and his family every success and happiness for the future," Thompson concluded.
