England captain Ben Stokes announces shock retirement from international cricket

England captain Ben Stokes announces shock retirement from international cricket reports that Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket after the ongoing Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The England captain ends his international career following a captaincy he assumed from Joe Root in 2022, and he is widely credited with key performances during England’s 2019 World Cup success. ECB officials framed the decision as the conclusion of a defining era for the Test team. ECB Chair Richard Thompson highlighted Stokes’ competitiveness under pressure and his ability to deliver in major moments, including mentions of England’s World Cup wins and an Ashes innings at Headingley. ECB CEO Richard Gould added that Stokes’ impact extends beyond statistics through leadership and resilience. The ECB said his contributions will be remembered for years.