Ben Stokes took a wicket seconds after his retirement was announced, then walked off to a raucous ovation after scoring 30 in his final innings — a day of high drama that began with an emotional dressing-room speech and ended with England still chasing 373.
The England captain announced his retirement from international cricket during the deciding Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. An ECB statement dropped 15 minutes before tea on day four, confirming that Stokes would retire at the end of the match. The statement read: “One of England's all-time greatest captains, Ben Stokes, has decided to retire from international cricket at the end of this Test match. Ben, you have been the most inspirational captain, leader and legend this team could have ever hoped for.”
“Ben Stokes announced his international retirement mid-Test, took a wicket, then scored 30 in his final innings to a standing ovation.”
Stokes, 35, had been bowling a marathon spell when the news filtered around the ground. Huge spontaneous applause erupted. Then, as if written to script, he took the edge of Zak Foulkes’ bat, New Zealand losing their eighth wicket. The crowd chanted: “We love you Stokesy we do” and “Ben Stokes’ Barmy Army”.
Earlier that morning, in a 93-second address to his team-mates, a visibly emotional Stokes said: “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. … 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.”
The retirement came after weeks of turmoil following Stokes’ curfew-breaking night out at Chelsea’s Rex Rooms, after which he was suspended for the second Test at The Oval. On the eve of the Trent Bridge match, he had refused to commit his future beyond this final Test.
Stokes stunned fans by jumping up to open the batting as England began their chase of 373. He scored 30 runs from 20 balls before being caught by Daryl Mitchell off Foulkes. He raised his bat in acknowledgment and walked off to the biggest ovation of the day, helmet aloft. Young Jacob Bethell, 22, replaced him but scored 0 from four balls.
At stumps, England were 103 for four. Stokes’ 122nd and final Test — and 278th international appearance — was still in the balance.