Stokes announced his international retirement midway through the third Test against New Zealand.
England captain Ben Stokes officially announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday (June 28), bringing a close to his illustrious 15-year career.
The retirement followed intense scrutiny regarding an off-field controversy. Hours after winning the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson breached a midnight curfew at a Chelsea nightclub, where an altercation took place involving a Saracens rugby player and an ECB security guard.
While Stokes was dropped from the second Test at The Oval on disciplinary grounds during the investigation, the independent Cricket Regulator and the ECB later cleared both players of violent conduct, noting insufficient evidence of regulatory breaches.
Ever since the nightclub episode, speculations were rife about Stokes' international retirement and it was on Day 4 of the third Test against New Zealand that the ace all-rounder made the official announcement.
Speaking after the end of the Trent Bridge Test, Stokes admitted he tried hard to see if he could keep going, but ultimately accepted that "it wasn't meant to be".
“I think I explained in as much detail as I could yesterday. At the end of the day, the most important person in making decisions is myself. I didn’t take the decision lightly. I had a number of people I trust to talk through it. I tried throughout this week to see if I could get myself to go beyond it, but it wasn’t meant to be," Stokes told Michael Atherton during a post-match conversation after New Zealand defeated England by 160 runs in Nottingham to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
“I’m very happy with everything I’ve achieved, and it’s sad I don’t get to do it anymore. There are also things I’m quite happy I don’t have to worry about anymore. It’s a lot of emotion, but I’m proud of what I’ve done," he added.
Stokes admitted his retirement announcement in the middle of a Test match was a little unusual but joked that it was “fitting in a way".
“It was a bit unusual. I told a few people closer to the team the night before and then the team in the morning. There can be a bit of controversy around my last game, but that’s probably fitting in a way. Something simple ended up a bit complicated, but I’ve enjoyed every time I’ve walked on the field," he stated.
Ben Stokes left behind legendary memories like his Headingley rescue, the 2019 World Cup victory, and the 2022 T20 World Cup win. He reflected on his illustrious career with immense pride and gratitude, specifically cherishing playing alongside all-time England greats like Joe Root, Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad, and James Anderson.
“I look back at some of the things I’ve been involved in and I’d say I’ve played with some of the best players England has ever produced. I’ve shared special moments with them and with younger players coming through. I’ve been lucky to see what Joe Root has done as a player and captain, and he’s still going. Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Alastair Cook – those greats of the game. And also players I’ve played against who have done amazing things. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of those moments," Stokes said.
“Yeah, it’s been some ride, and something I’ll always look back on with fond memories," he concluded.
Ben Stokes ended his international career after playing 122 Test matches, 114 ODIs, and 43 T20Is. Across these games, he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest all-rounders ever, scoring over 11,000 runs and taking more than 340 wickets.