Ben Stokes has announced a shock retirement from international cricket on the penultimate day of England's Test series decider against New Zealand. His decision will bring a 15-year England career and a four-year tenure as Test captain to a close at the end of the ongoing third Test at Trent Bridge.
Stokes told his team-mates and the ECB his decision on Sunday morning, before the start of play. He was visibly emotional and choked up when he spoke in the dressing room, imploring his team-mates to "go out there and f***ing give absolutely everything for another two days", and was given a standing ovation by England's players and coaching staff.
Stokes told his team-mates that "reason can wait [as to] why" he had retired, but his decision comes after he missed the second Test at The Oval on disciplinary grounds. He was not considered for selection while the ECB and the Cricket Regulator investigated his celebrations following England's win at Lord's, and he was later cleared of any serious wrongdoing.
The ECB announced the news shortly before tea on the fourth day at Trent Bridge, shortly after Stokes had completed the 10th over of a second mammoth spell. He received a rousing ovation from the crowd when he returned for an 11th, and immediately had Zak Foulkes caught at second slip off the following delivery.
Stokes' decision leaves England's Test team in a deepening crisis. They had won two of their last nine Tests heading into this series decider, and will need to chase more than 300 in the fourth innings in Nottingham to avoid a first defeat in a home series of three or more Tests since 2012.
His returns with the bat have declined in recent years but he has been their best bowler over the past 12 months and they missed him badly in their heavy defeat last week. Nor is there an obvious successor: Joe Root deputised at The Oval and could fill an interim role, while Harry Brook is his vice-captain but was overlooked last week.
Stokes' dynamic with head coach Brendon McCullum was tested by their 4-1 defeat in Australia last winter and though both men insisted that they remain close, their approaches have clearly diverged. His relationship with ECB "suits" has long been frosty and was further tested by his perception of their handling of the recent nightclub saga.
Stokes was not quoted in the ECB's statement announcing his retirement, which featured comments from chair Richard Thompson and chief executive Richard Gould.