England captain Ben Stokes stunned the cricketing world with his bombshell retirement, then confirmed his status as the outgoing people’s champion with a magically timed farewell wicket.
In a jaw-dropping development at Trent Bridge, a statement dropped at 3.25pm on day four of the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand confirming that one of the most celebrated, storied and successful players of his generation would be walking away for good at the end of the match.
The end of Stokes’ era comes just three weeks after the nightclub visit that plunged England into turmoil and his own future into doubt. After a disciplinary investigation, he and Gus Atkinson were handed a written conduct warning for “specific contractual obligations” but were effectively cleared of anything more than being out in the early hours following a Test victory at Lord’s.
As the news filtered through the crowd in Nottingham, the stadium rose to give the departing Test skipper a spontaneous standing ovation just as the 35-year-old was ready to start the 11th over of a trademark mammoth bowling spell.
With a true showman’s timing, Stokes did the unthinkable with his very next delivery – taking Zak Foulkes’ edge and sealing a dismissal that earned an instant place in his stacked pantheon of unforgettable moments.
The crowd erupted in celebration, while his team-mates engulfed him in their own private retirement party. He was cheered to the rafters as he walked off for tea and was last to return to the pitch for the evening, with the rest of the England side and New Zealand batters Daryl Mitchell and Ben Sears giving him a guard of honour.
Stokes had earlier informed them of his decision in a passionate dressing room address before the start of play, imploring them to come with him on one final ride in the Test arena.
Going out on a high will now take a serious upset of the odds, with New Zealand declaring on 288 for nine to set England a victory target of 373. He has one more innings with the bat and will be hoping to play his part in the kind of spectacular chase that defined the early phase of his captaincy career.
If he does so, it would be a remarkable achievement, to rank alongside the twin triumphs of his golden summer of 2019 – when he carried England to World Cup glory at Lord’s and then pulled off one of the most unbelievable chases in Ashes history at Headingley.
The England and Wales Cricket Board shared a clip showing the moment Stokes broke the news to his colleagues, with Stokes holding court as an open-mouthed Jacob Bethell watched on in disbelief.
“There’s something I know is going to happen over the next two days…this is my last two days as your captain, and my last two days as representing England,” he told them.
“Reasons can wait (as to) 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 else please just do the same?
“We’ve got a lot of hard work still to do. All the taps on the a***, all the emotion, all that kind of stuff, please can it just wait until the end of this game?
“Because we’ve still got a ****load more work to do and I’ve got a ****load more work that I want to do. (I’ve) got the emotional side out of it, but now it’s time to work. And everyone else, please just come with me.”
Rumours that Stokes was ready to announce his exit swirled in the 24 hours after the ECB announced he and Atkinson were being investigated and referred to the Cricket Regulator following an incident at Chelsea nightspot the Rex Rooms. A physical altercation with Saracens rugby union player Totoa Auvaa had taken place but it was later established that Stokes did not even witness two “unprovoked attacks”.
Tensions eased sufficiently for Stokes to return to lead the team in Nottingham but it was apparent at his pre-match press conference – the first time he addressed events publicly – that things were not right.
He apologised to his team for setting in motion events that saw them lose in his absence at the Oval but did not mention his employers or offer any direct assessment of his treatment.
Pressed about his future, he offered a deliberately opaque answer that invited speculation over how long he would be around.
“I understand there’s a lot of questions that you (the media) probably want to ask and want to hear from me, but I hope you respect in terms of this whole week, I’m (only) focusing on this week,” he said.
“I understand there are probably some questions but right now I’m here as captain of this team and all I want to do is get the team focused on winning here.”
In a foreshadowing of the outpouring of affection that greeted his announcement on Sunday afternoon, he added: “Over the last two weeks there has been a lot going on and the support I felt from the fans, not just of English cricket but cricket in general, was a big moment.
“It’s something I don’t want overlooked, the love and support I felt with all the speculation.”
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