Ben Stokes: England captain retires from international cricket during ongoing New Zealand Test

England captain Ben Stokes announced he will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand. The 35-year-old all-rounder made the decision while in the middle of a bowling spell at Trent Bridge, as a statement confirmed his intention to end a 15-year international career. Stokes missed England’s second Test after being involved in an incident in a London nightclub, but returned to lead the team in Nottingham. Before that comeback, he referred only to leading England “this week,” as described in the report. The retirement timing leaves his current Test series as his final international engagement, with the match against New Zealand serving as the decisive finish point.