Ben Stokes announced he will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand. PABen Stokes announced he will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand. PAAll-rounder to step away from national duty at end of third Test against New ZealandThe NationalJune 28, 2026​England Test ​captain ⁠Ben ⁠Stokes announced he will ​retire from ⁠international cricket after the ⁠ongoing Test ​against ‌New ​Zealand, bringing an end to a highly successful all-format career that began to unravel over recent seasons.Stokes, 35, made his white-ball ​international ‌debut ⁠in 2011 ​and ​captained ⁠England's Test team ⁠since 2022, turning into one of the greatest all-rounders of modern cricket.Stokes was a critical member of England's 2019 World ​Cup ‌and 2022 T20 World Cup winning teams. He also played his part in many Test wins, including an all-time great effort to win the 2019 Headingley Ashes Test.The England cricket board posted a video on social media where Stokes made the announcement to his teammates in the dressing room during the ongoing third Test in Nottingham. It capped a problematic period for England cricket that has been littered with issues off the field.Stokes, alongside Gus Atkinson, was dropped from the second Test against New Zealand over a curfew breach at a nightclub.The England cricket board thanked Stokes for his services.“Ben Stokes leaves the international game as one of England's greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation," Richard Thompson, ECB chair, said. "His performances under pressure, his relentless competitiveness and his ability to produce the extraordinary when it matters most have given me and millions of other fans memories that will endure forever."Stokes famously helped England win their first 50-over World Cup seven years ago with an unbeaten 84 in the final against New Zealand at Lord's.His unbeaten 135 at Headingley the same summer, which guided England to a ​one-wicket win over Australia after they ‌had been bowled ⁠out for 67 in the ​first innings, is widely regarded as one ​of the ‌greatest Test innings of all time.Updated: June 28, 2026, 2:55 PM