England captain Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket at the end of the third Test with New Zealand, which is currently ongoing.
The announcement that the iconic all-rounder is retiring came during one of his bowling spells on Sunday afternoon, the fourth day of the Test match at Trent Bridge.
The news comes after Stokes missed the second Test of the series following an incident at a London nightclub after the first Test.
The ECB has released a video of Stokes revealing the news to his teammates before the fourth day’s play began, when he made an emotional speech in the dressing room in Nottingham.
The 35-year-old made his international debut in 2011 and will finish on 122 Tests for England, 114 ODIs and 43 T20is, becoming one of the country’s greatest ever players.
Stokes 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 and my last two days representing England.
‘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. And the only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone please do the same.
‘We’ve got a lot of hard work still to do and 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 only thing I want is for everyone to give it not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team and everything else we’ve got going forward for you blokes.
‘All the taps on the arse, all the emotion all that kind of stuff, please can we just wait for the end of this game because we’ve still got s**tloads more work to do and I’ve got a s**tload more work that I want to do.
‘Let’s just go out there and f***ing give everything for another two days. That’s my only intention and that’s where all my energy is right now.
‘Got the emotional side out of it. Now it’s time to go to work. Can everyone else please just come with me.’
The Durham star played a huge role in England winning the Cricket World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022.
He won ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2019 and Test Cricketer of the Year in ’22.
The climax of the 2019 World Cup win may be the most memorable moment of his career, while his unbeaten 135 not out to beat Australia in the ’19 Ashes at Headingley will contest that.
Richard Thompson, ECB Chair, said of the announcement: ‘Ben Stokes leaves the international game as 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.
‘Whether inspiring victory in the biggest moments – not least driving England to World Cup wins in 2019 and 2022 and his heroic Ashes innings at Headingley – or leading the Test team with courage and conviction, Ben has been a talismanic figure in English cricket.
‘”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.
‘On behalf of the ECB, I want to thank Ben for everything he has given to our sport and wish him and his family every success and happiness for the future.’
CEO of the ECB, Richard Gould, said: ‘Ben Stokes has made an immeasurable contribution to English cricket, not only through his exceptional skill as one of the world’s finest all-rounders, but through the commitment, resilience and passion he has demonstrated throughout his international career.
‘His influence has extended far beyond statistics – inspiring teammates, supporters and young cricketers around the world through his leadership and unwavering desire to win.
‘We are enormously grateful for his service to England and congratulate him on an extraordinary international career. His contribution to the game will be celebrated for many years to come.’