Dressing-room footage of Ben Stokes announcing his retirement from international cricket to his England team-mates, released during the fourth day’s play in the third Test against New Zealand last month, may have contravened the sport’s anti-corruption code.World cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), wrote to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on July 4 seeking an explanation after the the clip of Stokes addressing the players at Trent Bridge before the start of the day’s play was published at 3.25pm on June 28, around 15 minutes before the tea break and with the captain in the middle of an 11-over spell.The publication ran alongside confirmation that Stokes would retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the game, which England went on to lose heavily to surrender the series 2-1.
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, 2026Publishing the footage before the conclusion of the game technically contravenes the ICC’s standards for players’ and match officials’ areas (PMOA) at international matches. According to Article 2.2.11 of the PMOA minimum standards, governing bodies have to “ensure that there are no fixed or temporary video cameras or other recording equipment set up within any dressing room used by the teams for the purposes of broadcasting video or audio footage”.The PMOA exists to support the ICC’s anti-corruption code. The ECB, who declined to comment when contacted by The Athletic, were invited to respond within 14 days before a decision is made as to whether the alleged breach merits sanction.Stokes, who took a wicket with his first delivery after the announcement was made public and later scored a 20-ball 30 after opening the batting, made his own position clear on the potential breach by posting a link to the story on X accompanied with the caption: “Sack him …”
