Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket during the third Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, delivering an emotional speech to his England teammates before the start of play on day four.
The announcement was made public shortly before tea in Nottingham, with Stokes given a standing ovation by the crowd. As the announcement was made, Stokes was about to start the 11th over of a marathon bowling spell. With the first ball he bowled following the announcement, he took the wicket of Zac Foulkes, drawing huge celebrations from the crowd and his teammates.
The ECB released a video of Stokes telling the England dressing room of his decision ahead of the start of play. Stokes said: "There’s something that I know is going to happen over the next two days which is going to be that this is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England.
"Reasons can wait [for] why, but I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, for you boys and for people beforehand. And I’ve got one more trip to do, and the only thing that I ask please, is that everyone please does the same. We’ve got a lot of hard work still to do and the only thing that I want is to be able to walk off that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I’ve had this group of men - and one lady - give everything for the last two days.
"The only thing I want is just for everyone to give it everything, not only for me selfishly, but also for the team and everything else that we’ve got going forward for you blokes.
One of England's all-time greatest captains, Ben Stokes, has decided to retire from international cricket at the end of this Test match.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026
Ben, you have been the most inspirational captain, leader and legend this team could have ever hoped for.
We love you so much and wish you… pic.twitter.com/U5grq0F0kj
"All the taps on the behind, all the emotion, all that kind of stuff ... please, can we just wait for the end of the game because we’ve still got a load of work to do and I’ve got a load more work that I want to do.
"Let’s just go out there and give absolutely everything for another two days, alright? That’s my only intention and that’s where all my energy is right now. Got the emotional side out of the way but now it’s time to go to work and everyone else please just come with me."
England went into tea on day four trailing New Zealand by 318, with two wickets left to take. When England came back out for the evening session, Stokes was given a guard of honour by his teammates and the unbeaten New Zealand batters – Daryl Mitchell and Ben Sears – as he walked out onto the field.
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