Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket, ending a career that included 122 Test matches and over 7000 runs. On the 4th day of the Nottingham Test match versus New Zealand, Stokes informed his teammates of his decision.
What led to his retirement?
The England skipper decided to retire after a long and illustrious career, with his final innings seeing him open the batting and score 30 runs from 20 balls.
Top performances
Stokes' career was marked by several notable performances, including a century against Australia in 2013. He scored 120 runs from 195 balls in the 4th innings of the Perth Test.
Career highlights
One of his most memorable performances was against India in the 2018 Edgbaston Test, where he took 4/40 and helped England win by 32 runs. He also scored 52 not out in the 2022 T20 World Cup final against Pakistan.
Legacy
Stokes will be remembered for his incredible all-round skills, which earned him a reputation as one of the best players in the modern era. His retirement marks the end of an era for English cricket, but his legacy will live on through his impressive career statistics, including 250 Test wickets.
The 35-year-old Stokes had a career spanning many years, with numerous highs and lows. He played a key role in England's 2019 ODI World Cup win, scoring 84 not out in the final against New Zealand.
Stokes' final Test match saw him complete 250 wickets, a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport. He will be missed by fans and teammates alike, but his retirement marks a new chapter in his life.
The decision to retire was not taken lightly, with Stokes stating that he had "had many trips to the well" for his team and country. He urged his teammates to give their all in the remaining matches, regardless of the result.
Stokes' career was not without controversy, but his on-field performances will be remembered for years to come. He will always be regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in English cricket history.
The England team will now have to adapt to life without Stokes, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers. His retirement marks the end of an era, but also a new beginning for English cricket.