England Captain Ben Stokes Announces Retirement
England captain Ben Stokes has announced that he will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand.
The all-rounder, regarded as one of England's finest cricketers, made the announcement while bowling during the match at Trent Bridge. The statement confirmed his decision to end a 15-year international career.
Stokes, aged 35, had missed England's second Test following an incident at a London nightclub. Prior to returning to lead the team in Nottingham, he had only referred to leading the side "this week."
He informed his England teammates of his decision before the fourth day of the deciding Test against the Black Caps. Emotionally addressing the team in the dressing room, Stokes said:
"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 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."
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