England Test captain Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, June 28, 2026, during the ongoing third Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the decision, which concludes a 15-year international career that began in 2011.
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Stokes informed his teammates of his decision before play on Sunday.
He subsequently bowled an 11-over spell in the heat and took a wicket with his first delivery after the news went public.
Career Highlights and Legacy
The all-rounder accumulated major milestones, including an unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ICC World Cup Final and a match-winning 135 not out at Headingley during the 2019 Ashes.
Statistically, Stokes joins Jacques Kallis as the only players to achieve the double of 7,000 Test runs and 250 wickets.
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During a five-year peak from 2016 to 2020, he made 3,430 Test runs at 42.3 and took 112 wickets at 27.6.
After taking over the captaincy in April 2022 following Joe Root's resignation, Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum introduced the aggressive philosophy known as "Bazball," revitalizing a team that had won just one of its previous 17 Tests.
A former England captain noted the unique nature of Stokes' career trajectory, comparing his dramatic match-winning interventions to past legends.
"Who writes your scripts?" asked Graham Gooch.
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The retirement leaves the England squad without an immediate, natural successor for the captaincy ahead of the next summer Ashes series.
