Ben Stokes says retiring from international cricket is the ‘best thing’ for him.

Stokes played for Durham when he was away from the England squad for the second Test and said his return to the county rekindled his passion for the game. He confirmed that he will continue to play domestic cricket.

“Coming back to Durham, not playing in the second Test, I got a new lease of life for the game, but unfortunately I couldn’t get that feeling back this week,” Stokes said.

“I’m really excited about the next part of what I’m doing. I’m comparing this week to that week when I was back at my boyhood club Durham – I’m talking now, but there were some really tough moments this week and it adds up to everything and makes it clear that I made the right decision.”

Stokes said he made the decision to retire as he prepared to bat in England’s first innings at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

He told former captain Joe Root and vice-captain Harry Brooke on Saturday evening and then broke the news to the rest of the team on Sunday morning.

Stokes added: “It’s been an exciting four or five weeks, maybe six months in total. “When this day comes, there are all kinds of emotions – relief, joy, happiness, sadness. Everything you’ve been through.

It’s the best thing I’ve been asked to do as England captain. Being on your shoulder is a great honor but there is another side that people don’t see, only those closest to you see.

“My family, my husband, they’ll see the little things you leak and it’ll affect you negatively.”