Ben Stokes has announced that he will retire from international cricket, with the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge set to be his final appearance for England. The 35-year-old informed the England squad of his decision before the start of play on Sunday (June 28), bringing the curtain down on an international career that began in 2011 and included captaining the Test side since April 2022.

One of England's greatest all-rounders, Stokes played defining roles in some of the country's most memorable victories, including his unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand and his remarkable 135 not out at Headingley later that summer in the Ashes. He also finished with a career-best Test score of 258 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016.

The retirement comes less than three weeks after Stokes was involved an off-field controversy following England's victory in the first Test against New Zealand. Stokes and Gus Atkinson breached the team's midnight curfew and were reportedly present during an incident at a London nightclub that also involved an ECB security staff member and a Saracens rugby player. With the Cricket Regulator's investigation ongoing, the ECB ruled both players unavailable for selection for the second Test, prompting Joe Root to step in as stand-in captain.

The Cricket Regulator later concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish a breach of any ECB Cricket Regulations and cleared both players of any regulatory offence. The ECB also confirmed that "no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub", stating that Stokes "was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident", while Atkinson "was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion".

However, both players were found to have breached contractual obligations relating to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and acting in the best interests of England cricket. They were issued written warnings, with the ECB considering their omission from the second Test as sufficient sanction.

Ahead of the series decider in Trent Bridge, England head coach Brendon McCullum also dismissed speculation that the fallout from the nightclub incident had strained his relationship with Stokes. "I said to him 'as far as I'm concerned I consider you a good friend and obviously we've been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here at English cricket.' In the end, we both want what's right and what's the best for English cricket and we're crystal clear on the direction that we want this team to take."

Before his return for the third Test, Stokes revealed that one of his first acts on rejoining the squad was to apologise to his teammates. However, he had a different message to his colleagues on Sunday before the start of day four. "There's something that I know is going to happen over the next two days which is, this is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England. Reasons can wait, why. But I've had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and I've got one more trip to do. And the only thing I ask...is can everyone please just do the same?" said Stokes addressing the team, a video of which was posted on the ECB social media channels.

"We've got a lot of hard work still to do and the only thing that I want is to be able to walk off the end of that field regardless of the result knowing that I've had this group of men and one lady give everything for the last two days and...the only thing I want is just for everyone to give it not only for me selfishly but also for this team and everything else we've got going forward for you blokes," said Stokes.

The controversy marked an unexpected final chapter in a captaincy that had otherwise reshaped England's Test fortunes. Appointed captain after Joe Root decided to step down, Stokes forged one of the game's most influential leadership partnerships with head coach McCullum, overseeing an aggressive brand of cricket that revitalised the side. Before the Trent Bridge Test, England won 24 Tests and lost 17, with only two draws under Stokes' captaincy.

"Ben Stokes leaves the international game as one of England's greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation. His performances under pressure, his relentless competitiveness and his ability to produce the extraordinary when it matters most have given me and millions of other fans memories that will endure forever," said ECB Chair Richard Thompson.

"Whether inspiring victory in the biggest moments - not least driving England to World Cup wins in 2019 and 2022 and his heroic Ashes innings at Headingley - or leading the Test team with courage and conviction, Ben has been a talismanic figure in English cricket," added Thompson. "Beyond his remarkable achievements on the field, his performances have inspired many youngsters to embrace cricket with positivity and belief.

"We are losing a batsman, a bowler, a captain and a talisman. On behalf of the ECB, I want to thank Ben for everything he has given to our sport and wish him and his family every success and happiness for the future."

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, added: "Ben Stokes has made an immeasurable contribution to English cricket, not only through his exceptional skill as one of the world's finest all-rounders, but through the commitment, resilience and passion he has demonstrated throughout his international career.

"His influence has extended far beyond statistics - inspiring teammates, supporters and young cricketers around the world through his leadership and unwavering desire to win. We are enormously grateful for his service to England and congratulate him on an extraordinary international career. His contribution to the game will be celebrated for many years to come."

Stokes' is the second high-profile retirement in this series following Kane Williamson, who quit international cricket after the first Test at Lord's.