Don't think I have any fight left in me': Ben Stokes explains reasons behind England retirement decision

Ben Stokes said the reasons behind England’s retirement decision were driven by the physical and mental toll of international cricket, and by emotions he said had been building for months. The comments came after a key moment on day four of England’s third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, when Stokes quickened his spell and took the wicket of Zak Foulkes. With England setting a 373-run target and Stokes scoring 30 as the innings ended with his team 103-4, he told media he had been considering retirement since the start of the Test series and even earlier. He described feeling “off” after the Ashes in Australia, then telling his wife he didn’t think he had “any fight left in me.” At 35, he said maintaining the physical workload felt increasingly demanding. He also cited the emotional side of stepping away, while praising the captaincy as the “best thing” he was ever asked to do and noting the week at Lord’s tested him both mentally and physically.