England test captain Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket after the ongoing test match against New Zealand.Published On 28 Jun 202628 Jun 2026England captain Ben Stokes has made the dramatic decision to announce his imminent retirement from international cricket midway through the deciding third test against New Zealand.“This is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England,” Stokes told his England teammates inside the dressing room on Sunday at the start of play at Trent Bridge on Day 4, in a video released on social media by England Cricket.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe match is headed to a fifth and final day on Monday, with the series on the line at 1-1.The shocking announcement came 15 minutes before the tea break. Stokes picked up a wicket moments later and was given a standing ovation as he led England off at the end of the session.“The reasons can wait [about] why,” Stokes said in his dressing-room speech. “But I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, and I’ve got one more trip to do.”Stokes, 35, one of the world’s best known cricketers, has represented England for 15 years, the peak surely coming in 2019 when he starred for England in its wild win over New Zealand in the 50-over World Cup final at Lord’s.He was also a key player in England’s T20 World Cup-winning team in 2022, the same year he became test captain.Stokes has decided to quit international cricket during a series when he made front-page news after being dropped by England for the second test amid an investigation fol …
