Ben Stokes receives guard of honour twice as England’s talisman walks away on own terms | WATCH

England’s talisman Ben Stokes stunned the cricketing world when he announced, just before play on day four at Trent Bridge, that this would be his final international appearance. He urged his teammates to rally around him and bring their best over the next two days to seal a series win against New Zealand.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the retirement minutes before the tea break, and the atmosphere at Trent Bridge shifted instantly. As Stokes returned to bowl his 11th over, the crowd rose to its feet in a standing ovation. Within seconds, he had Zak Foulkes caught at second slip, sending the stadium into raptures.

Stokes was then given a guard of honour by his England teammates, the on‑field umpires Nitin Menon and Rod Tucker, and New Zealand batters Daryl Mitchell and Ben Sears, right before the start of play after the tea interval. The England captain finished with figures of 2/49 from 25 overs, including five maidens, dismissing Mitchell Santner as his other scalp.

A guard of honour, for the man who has given everything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nfjLkLC7wO

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026

The visitors waited for Mitchell's hundred, and once he ticked off the milestone, the New Zealand captain, Tom Latham, declared the innings at 288/9. Stokes jogged back alongside Ben Duckett, and everyone knew what was coming. As he strode out to open the batting, the New Zealand players lined up once more, offering him a second guard of honour.

Stokes spent 37 minutes at the crease, playing in his trademark fearless style. He struck two fours and two sixes, racing to 30 off 20 balls before holing out to mid‑on. It was a quintessential Stokes knock, bold, aggressive, and true to the character that defined his career.

Twice honoured, twice celebrated, Stokes walked away on his own terms, leaving behind a legacy bound to inspire numerous kids to take up cricket as a profession.