Ben Stokes: England captain reveals ‘difficult’ decision behind international retirement and why it’s ‘best thing’ for him | cricket news

Ben Stokes has insisted that retiring from international cricket is the “best thing” for him.

Stokes shocked the cricket world on Sunday The confirmation will end his 15-year England career, in the afternoon session on day four and the 35-year-old released a statement while bowling at Trent Bridge.

The decision follows a tumultuous start to the year for Stokes, who remained captain despite a 4-1 Ashes defeat by Australia but was dropped for his involvement in a nightclub incident after their first Test win over New Zealand.

Stokes played for Durham during the second Test but was withdrawn for this week’s series decider, which will be his last international appearance after 122 Tests, 114 one-day internationals and 43 T20Is.

“I’ve gone through some rocky times personally, feeling like I’m pushing myself and feeling like I have to do something because it’s the right thing to do,” Stokes explained. on Sky Sports.

To be honest, this may sound quite selfish, but this decision is the best thing for me right now. Whether that means it’s the best thing for the team going forward, I hope so.

“What I think will allow me to still love this game that I’ve played since I was a kid and given me a career. I’m very excited about the next part of what I can do – go back and play for my boyhood club Durham.

“There have been moments this week where it’s been really tough and again that adds up to everything. It really makes it very clear in your mind that you’re probably making the right decision.”

‘I gave myself time’ – Stokes explains retirement timeline

Stokes has denied that the nightclub incident led to his decision to retire, with the all-rounder’s future pondering after the Ashes and ahead of New Zealand’s series opener at Lord’s.

“The whole Lord’s Test was something that I think brought back some negative feelings about where I was in my career,” explained Stokes.

“I worked so hard to try to put things right when I got home (from the Ashes) – I was doing what I thought I was doing. I put so much time and effort into it, I probably burned myself out.

“When I got to Lord’s that week, it was a very interesting and strange feeling going into that game. As much time as I gave myself (in retirement), I talked to as many people as I could through the process.

“Yesterday (Saturday) when I was getting my pads on, getting ready to go, that was the final nail in the coffin.”

Stokes was described as “one of England’s greatest ever cricketers and a defining figure of his generation” upon his retirement, while former England captain Michael Atherton had already expected his captaincy to end.

“He was an outstanding England captain throughout the journey,” Atherton told Sky Sports Cricket. “For the first few years, it was a transition that few of us had ever seen a team play.

“It didn’t go to plan last year. And I have to say, we were at Lord’s, and those of us in that job recognized that he would come to the end of the road.

“He looked like a guy who had been England captain for four years. A lot of us have done it for about that time. It’s a wearing job, it wears on you and you can’t go.”

No fairytale farewell for Stokes

Stokes took a first-ball wicket after announcing his retirement, getting an edge off Jack Foulkes to Harry Brook at slip, then elected to bat after setting England 373 in the series decider.

He received a guard of honor as he entered the field for the final and was dismissed after scoring 30 off 20 balls as England finished on 103-4 with New Zealand still needing 270 to avoid claiming victory.

“We probably would have liked to have gone one, two down tonight,” admitted Stokes. “The tactical reasons were just to go there, cause a bit of chaos and then come back tomorrow and see where we are.

“We knocked a good chunk out of this total. It’s very clear that scoring on this wicket is getting harder and harder.”

It is not yet clear who will replace Stokes as England captain, with white-ball captain Harry Brooke and former captain Joe Root among the possible options.

“England head coach Brendon McCullum said Stokes has produced some of the best moments of cricket England has seen. “For young players, he is a legend who inspires them to pick up the bat, play with heart and courage and give absolutely everything for his team.

“For me, the last four years have been an incredible journey. His time as our captain is over, he will always be a great friend. May the next chapter of Ben Stokes be as great as the last.”

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