England captain Ben Stokes has opened up on the emotional decision to retire from international cricket, revealing that the thought had been lingering in his mind since the Ashes tour of Australia. The veteran all-rounder announced during the fourth day of the decisive Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge that Monday would mark the end of his remarkable 15-year international career. Stokes stressed that the choice was made after months of reflection and was driven by a desire to preserve both his passion for the game and his personal well-being.
Retirement had been on Ben Stokes’ mind since the Ashes
Speaking to Sky Sports after the day’s play, Stokes revealed that retirement was far from a snap decision. Instead, he said it had been weighing on him ever since England’s difficult Ashes campaign in Australia.
“It might sound quite selfish but this decision is genuinely the best thing for me right now. I hope it’s the best thing for the team going forward but I also hope it’s what will allow me to keep loving this game that has given me so much,” said Stokes.
The England captain dismissed suggestions that his retirement was solely triggered by the disciplinary issue that ruled him out of the second Test against New Zealand following an incident at a London nightclub. He explained that the Lord’s Test earlier this summer brought back frustrations that had been building for months.
“The Lord’s Test, for me, was something that brought back negative feelings about where I was in my career. I’d worked so hard since getting home after the Ashes loss to put things right, but I just burned myself out,” admitted Stokes.
Stokes also revealed that a conversation with senior batter Joe Root during the Lord’s Test further reinforced his thinking. He said: “There was a build-up to it… then another moment when I sat next to Joe Root in the dressing room. Obviously another scenario happened that added to it. It’s never easy with me, is it?.”
Durham return helped him rediscover his love for cricket
A brief spell with Durham during his enforced absence from the England side proved to be a turning point for the all-rounder. Stokes said representing his boyhood county reminded him why he fell in love with the sport, and the contrast between county and international cricket ultimately convinced him that the time was right to move on.
“Being back at Durham, when I wasn’t playing in the second Test, I found a new lease of life for the game, but unfortunately I just couldn’t get that feeling back this week. I’m very excited about the next part of what I get to do. Going back to playing for my boyhood club Durham… right now I am buzzing, but there have been moments this week that have been really tough. It just makes it clear that I’ve made the right decision,” explained the Christchurch-born cricketer.
Stokes also disclosed that the final decision came while he was padding up to bat during England’s first innings at Trent Bridge. He informed Root and vice-captain Harry Brook that evening before telling the rest of the squad the following morning.
An emotional farewell after a glittering international career
The 35-year-old admitted captaining England had been the greatest privilege of his cricketing life but acknowledged that the responsibility carried an emotional cost that few people witnessed.
“It’s the best thing that I’ve ever been asked to do, captaining England. It is the greatest honour to have on your shoulders, but there is also another side to it that people don’t see. My family, my wife, they see the bits where it does drain you and it does affect you negatively,” Stokes revealed.
Persistent injuries—including knee, hamstring, shoulder and adductor problems—also played a major role in his decision. Having previously taken a break from cricket in 2021 to prioritise his mental health, Stokes admitted the physical demands of international cricket had become increasingly difficult to manage.
“It’s brutal what we do, physically and mentally. It’s all getting a bit tiring these days. At 35 I feel like I have got to do so much physical work to keep doing what I’m doing out there,” Stokes added.
In a fitting moment, Stokes claimed a wicket with the very next delivery after his retirement announcement became public during the Trent Bridge Test, adding another unforgettable memory to an extraordinary career. His career comes to an end with 122 Tests, 114 ODIs and 43 T20Is, leaving behind a legacy built on match-winning performances, inspirational leadership and some of the most iconic moments in England’s cricket history.
