'The best thing for me': Stokes opens up on retirement decision

Ben Stokes revealed his decision to retire from international cricket had been weighing on him since England's Ashes tour of Australia, insisting it was ultimately the right call.

The England captain announced on the fourth day of the series-deciding Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge that Monday would mark the end of his international career, concluding a 15-year journey spanning 122 Tests, 114 ODIs and 43 T20Is.

"It might sound quite selfish but this decision is genuinely the best thing for me right now," Stokes told Sky Sports.

"I hope it's the best thing for the team going forward but I also hope it's what will allow me to keep loving this game that has given me so much."

Stokes dismissed suggestions his decision stemmed solely from the disciplinary issue that saw him left out of the second Test after an incident at a London nightclub. Instead, he explained retirement first crossed his mind after the Ashes, before resurfacing during the opening Test of the home summer.

"The Lord's Test, for me, was something that brought back negative feelings about where I was in my career," he said. "I'd worked so hard since getting home to put things right… I put so much time and effort into doing that and I just burned myself out."

A brief return to county cricket with Durham during his enforced absence proved a turning point. Stokes said rediscovering his enjoyment there contrasted sharply with how he felt after returning to the international setup, and confirmed he intends to continue playing domestic cricket.

"Being back at Durham, when I wasn't playing in the second Test, I found a new lease of life for the game, but unfortunately I just couldn't get that feeling back this week."

Stokes revealed the decision crystallised while padding up to bat during England's first innings. He informed Joe Root and Harry Brook that evening before telling the squad on Sunday morning.

"It's the greatest honour to have on your shoulders but there is also another side to it that people don't see, only those closest to you see it. My family, my wife, they see the bits where it does drain you and it does affect you negatively."

The retirement comes after a physically demanding few years with knee, hamstring, shoulder and adductor injuries, while he also stepped away in 2021 to prioritise mental health.

"It's brutal what we do, physically and mentally. It's all getting a bit tiring these days, at 35 I feel like I have got to do so much physical work to keep doing what I'm doing out there."

The announcement was made public midway through the fourth day's play while Stokes was bowling, and fittingly he struck with the very next delivery. It was another memorable moment in a career that includes Ashes success, the 2019 ODI World Cup triumph, the Headingley miracle, and the T20 World Cup title in 2022.

"I'm pretty happy and content with everything I've managed to do. I'm an Ashes winner, I've won a 50-over World Cup, a T20 World Cup. I've also had the opportunity to captain the team and play alongside some of the best players to have played the game. There's not too much I can complain about."