Ben Stokes announces retirement as England captain after New Zealand series

Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket and step down as England Men's Test captain at the conclusion of the series against New Zealand. The announcement was made during the fourth day's afternoon session of the third Test at Trent Bridge. Stokes, 35, has been a pivotal figure in English cricket since his debut in 2011, leading the team since 2022, and had a contract extending through 2027. His decision follows a recent controversy, having been omitted from the previous Test against New Zealand. He expressed gratitude to his teammates and the England fans, requesting full effort from the team in his final days.