England Test captain Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket after the ongoing Test match against New Zealand.
Published June 28, 2026
England captain Ben Stokes has taken the dramatic decision to announce his impending retirement from international cricket midway through the decisive third Test against New Zealand.
In a video published by England Cricket on social media, Stokes told his England team-mates inside the changing room at the start of the fourth day’s match at Trent Bridge on Sunday: “These are my last two days as captain, my last two days as England representative.”
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The fifth and final day of games will be played on Monday, with the series tied at 1 win and 1 loss.
The shocking announcement was made 15 minutes before the tea break. Stokes picked up his wicket soon after and received a standing ovation as he put England in front at the end of the session.
Stokes said in a speech backstage: “The reason can wait.” “But I’ve been to the well many times for this team, and I need to go one more time.”
One of the world’s best-known cricketers, Stokes, 35, has represented England for 15 years, and his peak was arguably to come in 2019, when he led England to a huge victory 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 was appointed Test captain.
It was reported on the front page that Stokes had decided to quit international cricket during the series following England’s defeat in the second Test, amid an investigation after a night out with teammate Gus Atkinson after the first Test at Lord’s.
The two players were reportedly at a London nightclub when an England team security guard was punched by a rugby player from English club Saracens.
After removing Stokes and Atkinson, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said they had “breached certain contractual obligations” and received written warnings. Following an investigation, the Cricket Regulatory Authority, the game’s independent watchdog, said there was “insufficient evidence to establish that a breach of regulations occurred”.
Stokes was recalled for the third Test.
ECB chairman Richard Thompson said Stokes was “one of England’s greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation”.
“His performance under pressure, relentless competitiveness and ability to produce something extraordinary when it mattered most gave me and millions of other fans memories that will last forever,” Thompson said.
“Beyond his remarkable achievements on the field, his performances inspired many youngsters to embrace cricket with positivity and belief. We are losing a batsman, a bowler, a captain and a talisman.”
