England test captain Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket after the ongoing test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on one of the most influential careers in modern English cricket.
The announcement was made during play at Trent Bridge and was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. Moments later, Stokes marked the occasion by taking a wicket with his first ball.
The 35-year-old all-rounder, who made his international debut in 2011, has captained England’s test side since 2022.
Widely regarded as one of England’s greatest match-winners, Stokes played a pivotal role in the country’s maiden 50-over World Cup triumph in 2019, scoring an unbeaten 84 in the final.
Later that year, he produced one of the most celebrated innings in test cricket history with an unbeaten 135 at Headingley, guiding England to a remarkable one-wicket victory over Australia in the Ashes after his side had been bowled out for 67 in the first innings.
“Ben Stokes leaves the international game as one of England’s greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation,” ECB chair Richard Thompson said in a statement.
“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.”
