TRENT BRIDGE — In the minutes after Ben Stokes dropped the bombshell that he was retiring from international cricket, I messaged a prominent former England captain to remind him that I’d passed on a rumour last week that this might be his final Test. “I don’t know what to believe,” came the reply.
It summed up the mood around a shocked Trent Bridge in what turned out to be one of the most dramatic afternoons English cricket has seen in a generation.
From 3.25pm onwards, this was Stokes’ show: the timing of the announcement via a nondescript England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) press release; taking a wicket with his very first ball after the news dropped; the fact he opened the batting in England’s chase and went about his business like a man possessed; the send-off, the cheers, the chants in favour of a talisman who will go down as a true maverick, working-class hero of English cricket.
It all felt like a massive middle finger being raised to the ECB suits who appeared to throw him under the bus in the aftermath of his ill-fated night out at Chelsea’s Rex Rooms following the first Test of this series at Lord’s.
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
