England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket in remarkable fashion, confirming his decision while still playing during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. As reported by GIVEMESPORT, the announcement was released during England’s innings on the fourth day, with Stokes immediately taking a wicket moments later in what became an unforgettable farewell.

The crowd of 17,000 rose to their feet to acknowledge Stokes, who then proceeded to take a wicket, finding the edge of Zak Foulkes’ bat for Harry Brook to catch at second slip. This on-field declaration followed Stokes informing his teammates in the dressing room before play that the ongoing Test would be his final international appearance.

The toll of the game

Stokes revealed a deep personal struggle behind his decision, particularly in the wake of England’s dismal 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia during the winter. He described the months following that series as “the hardest period” of his career.

“It’s the emotional side of this since Australia,” Stokes told Sky Sports. “The way I said it to my wife was: ‘I don’t actually think I have any fight left in me to get over this, to be honest.'”

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The all-rounder emphasized the relentless demands of elite cricket, both on and off the field. “What we do is brutal, physically and mentally. Even the stuff away from it [the field] is getting tiring these days. I’m 35, I feel like I’ve got to do so much physical work to keep myself doing what I do out there,” he added. “Do I have that fight in me to keep doing that? I know what it takes to walk out there and keep playing for this country. There are so many things that have leaned me towards knowing that this is the right decision. There’s the emotional side, the physical side, the mental side.”