Ben Stokes announces retirement from international cricket

Star England all-rounder and Test captain Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket. Stokes is currently playing the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, after returning from a one-match suspension for breaching the team’s night curfew following their victory at Lord’s in the first Test.

Stokes was involved in an incident alongside Gus Atkinson at a nightclub against Totoa Auvaa, a player in the English rugby union club Saracens, which left the England security guard injured. There were speculations about Stokes' retirement in the aftermath of the incident. However, after consulting with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and head coach Brendon McCullum, he reportedly decided against it.

Ben Stokes played 122 Test matches in his career, scoring 7273 runs at an average of 34.46 with 14 centuries and 37 fifties to his name. He has also scalped 252 wickets at an average of 30.98 with six five-wicket hauls. He's only the second player, after the legendary Jacques Kallis, to score 7000 runs and take 250 wickets in Tests.

One of England's all-time greatest captains, Ben Stokes, has decided to retire from international cricket at the end of this Test match.

Ben, you have been the most inspirational captain, leader and legend this team could have ever hoped for.

We love you so much and wish you… pic.twitter.com/U5grq0F0kj

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026

Stokes has already retired from ODIs and last played T20Is during the 2022 World Cup final against Pakistan, where he scored an unbeaten half-century, which took England over the line in the tricky run chase. He also played a key role in England's 2019 World Cup triumph, playing a heroic innings of 84* (98) in the final against New Zealand that helped his team tie the game.

Stokes later also scored a crucial 8 runs in the super over, which eventually sealed a thrilling win for his team, with England winning the trophy by boundary count. He came out of retirement to play in the ODI World Cup 2023, but hasn't featured in the 50-over format after the tournament.

Stokes' captaincy career

Stokes made his Test debut against Australia during the 2013 Ashes in Adelaide and scored a magnificent century in just his second game on a treacherous pitch in Perth. He was handed over the England Test team captaincy in 2022, and he brought a revolution within the side alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, through their aggressive style of play termed ‘Bazball’ by the media.

He’s the joint-third most successful England captain in terms of wins, having guided his team to 24 wins out of 43 matches, with a win percentage of 55.81. Under his leadership, England became the first team to whitewash Pakistan 3-0 on their home soil in 2022.

Stokes' best performances in Tests

His best Test innings remains an unbeaten 135* against Australia at Headingley, Leeds, during the third Ashes Test in 2019, which guided England to a miraculous one-wicket victory. Ben Stokes recorded his highest score in the format against South Africa in Cape Town, 2016, slamming a sensational second-fastest double hundred in Tests off just 163 balls, scoring 258 (198), with the help of 30 fours and 11 sixes in his innings. 

He also holds the record for most sixes in Test cricket, having hit 138 maximums from 220 innings. Stokes’ best bowling performance came against West Indies at Lord’s in 2017, when he picked up 6/22 in 14.3 overs.

Meanwhile, England will announce Stokes' successor in Tests in the coming days, as vice captain Harry Brook is expected to take up leadership duties.