Ben Stokes to retire from international cricket
The news was revealed as the England men's test captain played for his team in the third test against New Zealand
England men's test captain Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket.
The Durham all-rounder issued a statement shortly before tea on day four of the decisive third Test against New Zealand, having informed his team-mates in the dressing room at Trent Bridge before the start of play.
As the news broke, Stokes was in the middle of a mammoth bowling spell, with news filtering out into a stunned crowd as he stood at the top of his mark to start an 11th over.
The 35-year-old received a spontaneous standing ovation from all four corners of the crowd and then produced a quite remarkable piece of theatre – having Zak Foulkes caught at slip with his next ball.
The fans roared in delight as the rest of the team mobbed him in a moment that will live long in English cricket folklore.
The shocking development comes in the immediate aftermath of the disciplinary incident that unfolded earlier this month, involving Stokes and Gus Atkinson in a London nightclub.
He was stood down from the second Test at the Kia Oval while the England and Wales Cricket Board conducted an investigation into the episode. He was later handed a written conduct warning but escaped any further censure and immediately returned to lead the side in Nottingham.
Speaking for the first time since the saga began on Wednesday, he appeared to cast doubt over his long-term future - repeatedly focusing on the importance of the five days ahead.
Invited to clarify that he was not back in the side for one match only, he refused to do so.