England captain Ben Stokes has announced he will retire from international cricket at the end of the third Test against New Zealand, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 15-year career.
The 35-year-old made the emotional decision public during the Test at Trent Bridge, with the announcement coming in the middle of one of his bowling spells. In a fitting twist, Stokes claimed a wicket with the very next ball after the news broke, dismissing Zak Foulkes caught at second slip.
Ben Stokes retires after nightclub controversy
The announcement comes just days after Stokes returned from suspension following his involvement in a London nightclub incident that also drew in Saracens academy forward Totoa Auvaa.
The England cricket captain missed the second Test while investigations into the incident took place. Although Stokes was found to have breached team conduct rules by breaking curfew, the governing body's disciplinary panel said no blame should be attached to him for the violent altercation itself.
Saracens also conducted their own investigation and confirmed Auvaa would face no club sanction, while criticising the cricket authorities for failing to involve the Premiership club during the process.
Now back leading England for one final time, Stokes informed his team-mates of his retirement before the fourth day of the decisive Test.
https://www.ruck.co.uk/england-cricket-captain-ben-stokes-retires-with-immediate-effect/
Emotional dressing room speech
An emotional Stokes addressed his players before play resumed.
"The 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.
"The only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone do the same.
"We've got a lot of hard work to do and the only thing I want is to be able to walk off that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I've had this group give everything for the last two days.
"That's the only thing I want, for everyone to give it not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team.
"I've got the emotional side out of it. Now it's time to go to work. Please, everyone else come with me."
One of England's greatest-ever all-rounders, Stokes will bow out having transformed the national side with his aggressive leadership and unforgettable performances, ending an international career that has spanned a decade and a half.
2027 Rugby World Cup draw:
Pool A
New Zealand – Perennial contenders with flair, power and unmatched rugby IQ.
Australia – Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile – Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China – Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.
Australia – Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile – Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China – Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.
Pool B
South Africa – Brutal, relentless, and brutally efficient—never count them out.
Italy – Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia – Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania – Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.
Italy – Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia – Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania – Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.
Pool C
Argentina – Dynamic, crafty, and fiercely competitive with a never-say-die spirit.
Fiji – Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain – Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada – Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.
Fiji – Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain – Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada – Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.
Pool D
Ireland – Well-drilled, intelligent, and ruthlessly efficient across the park.
Scotland – Creative attackers with growing confidence and slick backline play.
Uruguay – Tenacious, organized, and fearless against bigger rugby nations.
Portugal – Exciting, fast-paced, and thriving with a young, fearless core.
Scotland – Creative attackers with growing confidence and slick backline play.
Uruguay – Tenacious, organized, and fearless against bigger rugby nations.
Portugal – Exciting, fast-paced, and thriving with a young, fearless core.
Pool E
France – Electric, unpredictable, and capable of brilliance from anywhere.
Japan – High-tempo, disciplined, and tactically sharp—they never stop moving.
USA – Athletic and physical, with a growing pool of exciting talent.
Samoa – Bone-shaking tackles, powerful runners, and trademark island flair.
Japan – High-tempo, disciplined, and tactically sharp—they never stop moving.
USA – Athletic and physical, with a growing pool of exciting talent.
Samoa – Bone-shaking tackles, powerful runners, and trademark island flair.
Pool F
England – Structured, strategic, and capable of grinding down any opponent.
Wales – Proud, passionate, and dangerous when the momentum swings their way.
Tonga – Heavy hitters with explosive power and fearless intensity.
Zimbabwe – Energetic and ambitious, bringing speed and spirit to every contest.
Wales – Proud, passionate, and dangerous when the momentum swings their way.
Tonga – Heavy hitters with explosive power and fearless intensity.
Zimbabwe – Energetic and ambitious, bringing speed and spirit to every contest.
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players
From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!
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