ICC contacts ECB over Stokes retirement video

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after deeming the release of Ben Stokes' retirement announcement during the third Test against New Zealand to be in breach of its Player and Match officials' Area (PMOA) regulations.

Stokes' decision to retire from international cricket was made public on the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test while the match was still in progress. Before play that morning, the former England captain informed his teammates in the dressing room, with that address filmed by the ECB's media team. The footage was released to broadcasters and on social media shortly before the Tea interval while play was underway.

The ICC informed the ECB that publishing the footage before the conclusion of the Test contravened its PMOA minimum standards, which prohibit recording and broadcast of audio and video from team dressing rooms during an ongoing international fixture. The regulations, introduced as part of the ICC's anti-corruption framework, state that no recording equipment should be used inside dressing rooms for broadcast purposes.

In its correspondence sent on Saturday, the ICC reiterated that any material captured within the PMOA must not include audio nor be released before the end of a match. The ECB is yet to issue a response.

Explaining the timing, Stokes said the rollout had been coordinated between his representatives and the ECB.

In a moment that added to the drama, Stokes was bowling when news of his retirement broke and dismissed Zak Foulkes with the very next ball. His international career ended on the fifth and final day of the Test.

Reacting to the news of the ICC's move, Stokes posted a sarcastic tweet: "Sack him."

Stokes' retirement has accelerated England's search for a new Test captain ahead of next month's three-Test series against Pakistan. Vice-captain Harry Brook has said it would be an "honour" to take over, although the ECB is understood to be taking its time before confirming an appointment. The series begins at Headingley on August 19.