Ben Stokes Retires from International Cricket After Third Test

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-06-29

England Test captain Ben Stokes made a shocking announcement on Sunday, declaring his retirement from all forms of international cricket. The 35-year-old all-rounder will leave the England team immediately after the current third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge concludes. He broke the news to his teammates in the dressing room before the start of Day 4, leaving the cricket world stunned. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) shared the news with the public shortly before the tea interval. In a final moment of magic, Stokes took a wicket with the very next ball he bowled after the announcement. He finishes a legendary 15-year career as one of only two players in history to reach 7,000 runs and 250 wickets in Test cricket. ### A Shock Announcement at Trent Bridge The timing of the announcement surprised everyone because it happened in the middle of a deciding Test match. Stokes spoke emotionally to his teammates on Sunday morning, telling them he had "one more trip to the well" left for the team. He asked his players to give everything for the final two days of the game. Once the news became public, the crowd at Nottingham gave the captain a standing ovation. New Zealand's players and the match umpires also formed a guard of honour for him as he walked onto the pitch after the tea break. Despite the celebration of his career, England faces a difficult task to win the match and the series. Following the announcement, Stokes showed his aggressive style one last time. He promoted himself to open the batting in England's second innings. He scored 30 runs from just 20 balls, including two massive sixes. ### Why Ben Stokes Is Retiring Now Stokes explained that he feels burnt out and has lost his love for international cricket. He admitted that leading the England team is very draining. He also noted that certain moments over the last year made him feel like he did not enjoy the sport as much as before. Several recent events contributed to his decision. England suffered a heavy loss against Australia last winter, which Stokes said took all the fight out of him. Stokes recently missed the second Test of this series due to a disciplinary investigation regarding a night out in London. Although he was cleared of wrongdoing, he described the process as frustrating and disappointing. - He took a break for his mental health in 2021 - He suffered a serious facial injury earlier this year - Playing for his county side Durham brought him a different kind of happiness Stokes will continue to play domestic cricket for Durham and will also play in franchise T20 leagues around the world. ### Tributes from the Cricket World The chairman of the ECB, Richard Thompson, called Stokes one of the defining figures of his generation. He praised the captain for inspiring young people to play cricket with belief and positivity. Former teammate Stuart Broad described him as a talisman who always wanted to be in the game when things were most difficult. > "He's always been there for the team and we'll always love him." - Fans at Trent Bridge Stokes leaves behind a legacy that few can match. His impact on English cricket goes beyond statistics. He changed the way the team plays, bringing an aggressive and fearless approach. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his influence will be felt for years to come.