England captain Ben Stokes has made a stunning announcement to retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand.
All-rounder Stokes, one of the finest cricketers to ever play for England, was in the middle of a bowling spell at Trent Bridge on Sunday when a statement was released confirming his intention to end a 15-year international career.
Incredibly, with the first delivery after news of his retirement was made public, Stokes took a wicket, having Zak Foulkes caught at second slip.
The 35-year-old missed England’s second Test against New Zealand after being involved in an incident in a London nightclub.
Before his return to captaining England in Nottingham, he referred only to leading the team “this week”.
And Stokes told his England team-mates of his decision before the fourth day of the deciding Test against the Black Caps.
Clearly emotional as he spoke in the England dressing room, Stokes said: “The reasons can wait, 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.
“The only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone do the same.
“We’ve got a lot of hard work to do and the only thing I want is to be able to walk off that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I’ve had this group give everything for the last two days.
“That’s the only thing I want, for everyone to give it not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team.
“I’ve got the emotional side out of it, now it’s time to go to work. Please, everyone else come with me.”