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'I'm not convinced Stokes is the retiring type': Cricket world in disbelief after Ben Stokes' shock retirement announcement originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- England captain Ben Stokes announced his international retirement during the third Test against New Zealand.
- He took a wicket on the very next ball after news broke.
- Fans in disbelief as the captain called quits on his international career.
Ben Stokes stuns cricket world with mid-match retirement announcement
England captain Ben Stokes has dropped a bombshell, confirming he will walk away from international cricket once the ongoing third Test against New Zealand draws to a close.
The announcement came in the middle of a live bowling spell at Trent Bridge, with a statement going public on social media, confirming the end of Stokes' 15-year career representing his country.
However, in almost cinematic fashion, Stokes struck with the very first ball delivered after news of his decision broke, dismissing Zak Foulkes via a catch at second slip.
The 35-year-old had missed England's second Test entirely following a disciplinary issue tied to an incident at a London nightclub. After returning to lead the side at Trent Bridge, Stokes had notably only committed to captaining the team "this week," a phrase that now reads very differently in hindsight.
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Stokes' emotional words to his England teammates
Speaking inside the dressing room, visibly emotional, Stokes told his teammates that the reasons behind his decision could wait for another time, explaining instead that he had drawn on reserves of energy for this team and the people before it many times over, and that he had one final push left in him.
Stokes said: "The reasons can wait, why, 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."
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Cricket fans left in disbelief after Stokes' retirement
Senior cricket journalist of "The Cricketer", @GeorgeDobell1, was not convinced, possibly hinting that the English captain may have been forced to retire after the nightclub controversy and wrote: "I'm not convinced Stokes is the retiring type..."
Football journalist @charles_watts said: "Absolutely legend. Given us some of the greatest sporting moments. The World Cup final, Headingley, it just doesn’t get much better than that. Such a shame it’s ended like this. He deserved better. Thank you @benstokes38 "
@PictureSporting wrote: "Fine words. Shame the ECB threw him to the wolves so readily earlier this month. That has to have influenced this"
@adarshisit chose to blame the English media and wrote: "This is completely on the English press. They killed one of the most captivating sportsperson and persona the world has seen. Without doubt a legendary career, I hope he takes England home here."
Meanwhile, an Indian fan took a dig at Shreyas Iyer after his flop show against Ireland and wrote: "Shreyas Iyer pays his tribute to Stokes by getting out bowled and reacting shockingly. India 3 down for 19. #IREvIND."
Stokes has built a career defined by unforgettable moments
Stokes departs the international stage having delivered some of the most memorable performances in English cricket history.
His unbeaten 84 in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand played a central role in England's first-ever triumph in the tournament.
Barely six weeks later, he produced another miracle, almost single-handedly steering England past Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley with an unbeaten 135. Those performances earned him the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award that same year.
MORE: What really happened in Ben Stokes' nightclub incident: Timeline of ENG captain's controversy
Few players have ever combined theatre with substance quite like Ben Stokes. Announcing your retirement mid-spell, then immediately taking a wicket, sounds almost scripted, yet it perfectly captures a career built on producing the extraordinary at the most unexpected moments.
Across his international career, Stokes featured in 122 Test matches, leading the side in 44 of them. He also played 114 ODIs and 43 T20Is for England, and won the 2022 T20 World Cup.
The big question for England cricket now is, who can fill the big shoes of Ben Stokes?
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