Ben Stokes: The England captain retired from international cricket during the New Zealand Test

England captain Ben Stokes made a surprise announcement to end his international career at the end of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand.

All-rounder Stokes, one of the greatest cricketers ever to play for England, was in the middle of a bowling spell at Trent Bridge when a statement was released confirming his intention to end his 15-year international career.

Incredibly, on the first delivery after his retirement was announced, Stokes took a wicket, caught at second slip by Zak Fowlkes.

The 35-year-old missed England’s second Test after being involved in an incident at a London nightclub.

Before returning to lead the team in Nottingham, he only mentioned leading the team “this week”.

And Stokes informed his England teammates of his decision ahead of the fourth day of the decisive Test against the Black Caps.

Speaking in the England dressing room, a visibly emotional Stokes said: “Reasons can wait, why, but I’ve traveled a lot before for this team, for your people, for people and I’ve got one more tour.

“The only thing I ask is, please, that everyone do the same.

“We’ve put in a lot of hard work and the only thing I want is to be able to walk off that field knowing that whatever the result, I’ve given everything to this team over the last two days.

“That’s the only thing I want, for everybody. It’s not just for me, but selfishly, for this team as well.

“I got the mental side of it. Now it’s time to go to work. Come with me, everyone, please.”