New Delhi: England Test captain Ben Stokes left the cricketing world stunned on Sunday after announcing his retirement from international cricket during the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The 35-year-old informed teammates before the start of Day 4 that the match would mark his final appearance in international cricket. As news of his decision spread across the stadium, fans rose to give him a standing ovation in an emotional tribute to one of England’s modern greats.
In a dramatic twist, Stokes then delivered a moment fitting for his legacy. While bowling the 81st over, he struck with his very first delivery after the announcement, dismissing Zakary Foulkes for 6. The batter edged the ball to second slip, where Harry Brook completed a sharp catch.
The wicket triggered emotional celebrations, with England players rushing to embrace their captain in a scene that blended farewell and triumph.
Stokes’ retirement comes at the end of a turbulent week. He had recently returned to the side after missing the second Test following an off-field incident involving England fast bowler Gus Atkinson outside a nightclub in London after the opening match. Both players were investigated by the ECB and the Cricket Regulator and later issued written warnings, though no serious charges were found.
As a result of the inquiries, both were left out of the second Test and asked to play county cricket before being recalled for the series decider at Trent Bridge.
Despite the off-field distractions, Stokes made a strong impact in the final match. He claimed four wickets in the first innings and contributed with the bat as well, scoring 15 runs. He added two more wickets in New Zealand’s second innings as the visitors posted 288/9, setting England a challenging target of 373.
Stokes’ farewell performance added a dramatic final chapter to his international career, ending with both sporting brilliance and emotional scenes on the field.
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