Nottingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England captain Ben Stokes stunned the cricket world by announcing his upcoming retirement from international duty in the middle of a Test match on Sunday.
Issued on: 28/06/2026 - 20:38
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But prospects of a victorious farewell were slim as New Zealand closed in on a series-clinching win.Stokes confirmed he would end his celebrated England career after the ongoing third and final Test in Nottingham, adding more drama to a three-match series locked at 1-1.But Daryl Mitchell's 100 not out took New Zealand to 288-9 declared and left England requiring 373 for victory on a wearing pitch.At stumps, however, England were 103-4 -- with Stokes out after opening the innings in another surprise move -- and needing 270 more runs to win.
England's Ben Stokes receives a "guard of honour" following the tea break after it was announced he would retire from international cricket on the fourth day of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge © Darren Staples / AFP
