England test captain Stokes to retire from international cricket

NOTTINGHAM, England, June 28 : England test captain Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket after the current test against New Zealand, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on a career that included the 2019 World Cup triumph and one of the most celebrated Ashes innings of the modern era at Headingley the same year.

When the news was announced at Trent Bridge it drew a standing ovation from the crowd.

The timing may have been intended to inspire his teammates to deliver one last win for him, with England’s backs to the wall in the deciding third test, and Stokes, playing in his 122nd test, took a wicket with his first ball afterwards.

In a video shared by the ECB, Stokes told his teammates: "The only thing that I want is to be able to walk off the end of that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I've had this group... give everything for the last two days."

"All the emotion, all that kind of stuff, please can we just wait for the end of the game?"

There was another ovation for Stokes as he led England off the field at tea and one more – plus a guard of honour from his teammates and New Zealand’s batters – as he led them back on for the final session of the day.

The 35-year-old, who made his international debut in 2011, has captained England's test team since 2022.

Known for his fearless batting and defiant leadership, Stokes helped England win their first 50-over World Cup seven years ago with an unbeaten 84 in the final.

His unbeaten 135 at Headingley the same summer, which guided England to a one-wicket win over Australia after they had been bowled out for 67 in the first innings, is widely regarded as one of the greatest test innings of all time.

'LOSING A TALISMAN'

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