Ben Stokes Announces Retirement from International Cricket
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
England all-rounder and Test captain Ben Stokes has announced that he will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand, bringing an end to one of the most successful careers in modern English cricket.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the decision in an official statement on Sunday.
Stokes to End England Career After Third Test
The 35-year-old will play his final international match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, where England are facing New Zealand in the deciding Test of the three-match series.
Following the announcement, spectators at the stadium gave Stokes a standing ovation in recognition of his contributions to England cricket. Later in the day’s play, he also claimed the wicket of New Zealand batter Zak Foulkes, drawing another warm response from the crowd.
Emotional Message to Teammates
In a video shared by the ECB, Stokes informed his teammates that the remaining days of the Test match would be his final appearance as England captain and as an international cricketer.
He encouraged the squad to remain fully focused on the match and give their best until the very end, saying he wanted to finish his career knowing the team had given everything on the field.
A Career Filled with Memorable Moments
Stokes became England’s Test captain in 2022 and played a key role in several of the country’s biggest cricket achievements.
Among his most memorable performances was his unbeaten 84 in the dramatic 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup final, helping England secure its first men’s ODI World Cup title.
He also produced one of Test cricket’s greatest innings with an unbeaten 135 against Australia at Headingley during the 2019 Ashes series.
In Test cricket, Stokes scored a career-best 258 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016 and also claimed more than 250 Test wickets, highlighting his value as one of the game’s leading all-rounders.
ECB Pays Tribute
ECB Chair Richard Thompson praised Stokes’ impact on English cricket, describing him as one of the country’s finest players.
He said Stokes consistently delivered in major matches, inspired teammates with his leadership, and created unforgettable moments for cricket fans throughout his international career.
As England prepares for life after one of its most influential cricketers, Stokes leaves behind a legacy built on leadership, match-winning performances and memorable achievements across all formats of the game.
