England all-rounder Ben Stokes opened up on the emotions behind his decision to retire from international cricket, admitting it had been one of the toughest calls of his career. After bringing the curtain down on an illustrious 15-year journey, the former England captain reflected on the physical and emotional toll that ultimately led him to step away from the game.
Stokes' announcement marked the end of one of England's most successful cricketing careers, having played a defining role in several of the nation's greatest moments.
Ben Stokes opens up on emotional retirement decision
Speaking after announcing his retirement, Stokes admitted that the past few months had been emotionally draining as he wrestled with the decision before finally accepting that it was time to move on.
"It's been really tough. I'm sure a lot of captains understand. Joe Root gets it, he understands it. It's the best thing that I've ever been asked to do, that is to captain the team, lead England," Stokes said.
The former England skipper explained that his decision was shaped by a combination of physical exhaustion and the mental burden of leading the national side. Stokes said captaining England had been the greatest honour of his career, but acknowledged that the responsibility had gradually taken its toll, with his family witnessing the sacrifices and emotional challenges behind the scenes.
He also revealed that he tried everything possible to rediscover the passion that had driven him throughout his career but realised during the recent Lord's Test that he could no longer summon the same feeling. Stokes added that while the decision may appear selfish, he believes it is the right one for both himself and, hopefully, the England team.
The all-rounder further reflected on the memorable moments of his career, recalling England's Ashes triumphs, World Cup victories and several match-winning performances that defined his journey in international cricket.
A legendary England career comes to an end
Stokes retires as one of the greatest all-rounders in England's cricket history. He played a pivotal role in England's historic 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph, producing one of the most iconic innings in the tournament's final against New Zealand.
He also transformed England's Test side after succeeding Joe Root as captain in 2022, introducing an aggressive brand of cricket that revitalised the team's fortunes.
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Over his international career, Stokes represented England in 122 Test matches, captaining the side in 44 of them. He also featured in 114 One-Day Internationals and 43 T20 Internationals, leaving behind a legacy built on leadership, resilience and countless match-winning performances.
His retirement brings an end to a remarkable chapter in English cricket, with fans set to remember him as one of the country's finest modern-day cricketers.