Ben Stokes took a wicket with the first delivery after the news broke – because of course he did. The England Test captain had just announced his retirement from all international cricket, effective at the end of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, and the scriptwriter in him delivered one last moment of theatre.
The ECB released a statement at 3.25pm confirming that Stokes was quitting the captaincy and walking away from international cricket entirely. Moments earlier, with England in the field, Stokes had been labouring through a trademark extended bowling spell. Then the news went public. The crowd rose in a standing ovation. And with his very next ball, Stokes found the edge of New Zealand No9 Zak Foulkes’ bat, the ball flying to second slip where Harry Brook – his likely successor as Test captain – held a fine catch. The crowd erupted, Stokes charged towards his teammates, and even the most hardened observers shook their heads at the timing.
“Ben Stokes announces international retirement after nightclub row, takes wicket with first ball after news breaks at Trent Bridge.”
Stokes had informed his stunned teammates before the start of play on Sunday. In a speech recorded by the ECB, he said: “There’s something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is that this is my last two days as your captain, my last two days representing England. Reasons can wait. But I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand, and I’ve got one more trip to do.” He asked only that they concentrate fully on trying to win the game. Later, as he left the field for tea, his teammates formed a guard of honour.
The seeds of this exit were sown years ago. Stokes’ relationship with the ECB hierarchy has been strained ever since he was banned from the 2017-18 Ashes tour and later fined £30,000 – despite being cleared of affray. Most of the personnel at the ECB have changed, but distrust of “the men in suits” remained. The final straw, according to those close to him, came after the first Test victory at Lord’s, when Stokes breached a curfew by visiting a London nightclub. He has been talking about retirement with his inner circle in the nearly three weeks since.
Stokes made his Test debut in Adelaide during the 2013-14 Ashes. Now 35, he is playing his 122nd Test – sixth on England’s all-time list – and his 279th international appearance. He was a key member of the England teams that won the 2019 50-over World Cup and the T20 version in 2022. As permanent captain, he led England to 11 wins in his first 12 Tests in charge; they had won one of their previous 17. Among his career highlights are the greatest England innings of all time – 149 not out against Australia at Headingley in 2019 – and a 258 from 198 balls against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016. He also produced countless marathon spells, often despite injury, and gravity-defying catches.
The third Test at Trent Bridge will be followed by a seven-week break for the red-ball side before they return for a three-match series against Pakistan in August, during which a replacement captain will be identified. For now, the team must finish this game without their leader – and the sport without one of its most extraordinary characters.