Ben Stokes marks England retirement in extraordinary fashion but New Zealand dominate

• https://www.theguardian.com/sport/cricket/match/2026-06-28/england-cricket-team">Third Test D4: NZ 438 & 288-9dec; England 354 & 103-4

• Captain takes wicket moments after announcement

It was one of the most extraordinary scenes witnessed in a career littered with them.

Ten or so minutes before tea on the fourth day against New Zealand, about to start the 11th over of another marathon spell, Ben Stokes stood at the top of his mark as a ripple of applause turned into a standing ovation.

Minutes earlier the England and Wales Cricket Board had released the news that Stokes would be https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/28/england-test-captain-ben-stokes-announces-international-retirement-cricket">retiring from internationals at the end of this deciding third Test.

The players had been informed by Stokes before the start of play and now the public was in on the secret, people rising as one to roar as their champion all-rounder set off on another bullocking charge to the crease.