Ben Stokes retires: England will lose more than just the player, says former captain Michael Vaughan.

England will need to replace Ben Stokes as well as their “great” players moving forward, former captain Michael Vaughan has said.

of Stokes’ surprise retirement announcement He came on the third day in the fourth and decided against New Zealand, which would be the last.

Stokes, 35, will miss the second Test after the incident in a London nightclub, England’s heavy defeat at The Oval, which Vaughan said hinted at a “hole” in the side for the runner to emerge from.

“England have to go forward now – it’s hard to say when it’s just going to happen,” Vaughan told the BBC’s Test Match Special.

But they have to see how they build the team without Ben Stokes, and it’s not just the player – he’s the man.

“He has a winning mentality, and I rate him as one of England’s greatest men when the pressure is on.”

Stokes was allowed back as captain for the third Test at Trent Bridge, having informed his team-mates of his decision to retire before the start of the match on the fourth day.

After the news broke at 15:25 BST, Stokes took a wicket and bowled the next ball – Zach Foulkes was caught at second slip as England moved into the lead against New Zealand after lunch.

Vaughan said that moment highlighted the challenge of replacing the English all-rounder and leader.

Vaughan added: “It was an immediate reminder of what England are missing out on.”

“That’s why he’s an English great. I didn’t see it coming (his retirement) but I saw the wicket coming because he’s done that all his life.

“When England wants something, it always delivers.”