England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket when the current match against New Zealand comes to an end.
Stokes told his teammate before play resumed in a match at Trent Bridge on Sunday, noting it was the best decision for him and the team after a controversial year.
The all-rounder was suspended suspended for the second Test of the series against New Zealand after breaking curfew.
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.
We love you so much and wish you… pic.twitter.com/U5grq0F0kj
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026
“The reasons can wait, why, 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 told his teammates.
“The only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone do the same. We've got a lot of hard work to do and the only thing I want is to be able to walk off that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I've had this group give everything for the last two days.
“That's the only thing I want, for everyone to give it not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team. I've got the emotional side out of it. Now it's time to go to work. Please, everyone else come with me.”
Stokes explained how he's struggled since the trip to Australia, and the lack of fight he has left in him.
"Over the last five or six weeks, it was something else that I had to overcome," he told Sky Sports.
"I feel like I've been pretty good at that throughout my career at overcoming on-field disappointment, off-field disappointment, and then the emotional side of things since Australia.
"The way I said it to my wife is 'I don't actually think I have anymore fight left in me to get over this to be honest'."
England Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Richard Thompson said Stokes is "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 said.
"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."
