Ben Stokes retires: 'It's been a mad 15 years' — farewell after 122 Tests
Synopsis
Ben Stokes signed off from international cricket not with a trophy but with a handwritten note to the world — raw, emotional, and entirely on his own terms. Across 122 Tests, two World Cup-winning moments, and a captaincy revolution, he redefined what an England cricketer could be. The Bazball era he built now carries on without its architect.
Key Takeaways
Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket after a 15-year career, confirming the decision following England's third Test against New Zealand .
He shared an emotional farewell on X , saying 'my time was up, and no one was going to be able to make that decision other than me.' Stokes represented England in 122 Tests (including 44 as captain ), scoring more than 7,000 runs and taking over 200 wickets .
He also played 114 ODIs and 43 T20Is , winning the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup with England.
His unbeaten 84 in the 2019 World Cup final and unbeaten 135 at Headingley in the same year remain two of cricket's most celebrated innings.
Ben Stokes, one of England's greatest all-rounders, has bid an emotional farewell to international cricket, sharing a heartfelt message on X days after confirming his retirement following England's third Test against New Zealand. The 35-year-old former Test captain reflected on a 15-year career that spanned extraordinary highs and painful lows, both on and off the field.
Stokes in His Own Words
In a post on X, Stokes wrote: 'It's been a mad 15 years. It's had everything thrown in there, from the highest highs to the lowest lows (on and off the field). My time was up, and no one was going to be able to make that decision other than me. But in the meantime, I just want to say I love every single England fan and every single cricket fan who's supported me over the years.'
He also extended his gratitude to teammates, adding: 'I love every single person I've walked out onto the field with representing England. I could go on and on, but I hope you get the gist of how much I loved doing what I did for 15 years. I'm looking forward to being a fan and supporting the team, and the odd day in hospitality won't go amiss. Family, friends, teammates, fans... I love yas all. Stokesy.'
A Career Defined by Match-Winning Moments
Stokes's retirement marks the end of a career punctuated by moments that will endure in cricket folklore. His unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord's helped England lift the trophy for the first time in history after a dramatic Super Over. Just six weeks later, he produced an unbeaten 135 at Headingley to script one of the greatest Test victories of all time, keeping England alive in the 2019 Ashes series against Australia.
Beyond those defining innings, Stokes was a key figure in England's 2022 T20 World Cup triumph and later steered the side through the transformative 'Bazball' era after assuming the Test captaincy.
The Numbers Behind the Legacy
Stokes retires having represented England in 122 Tests — including 44 as captain — amassing more than 7,000 runs and claiming over 200 wickets in the longest format. He also featured in 114 One-Day Internationals and 43 T20 Internationals, cementing his standing as one of England's finest all-format cricketers across three decades of international competition.
The End of an Era for England Cricket
His final appearance came during England's defeat to New Zealand in the third Test, a subdued conclusion for a player whose career was anything but. This comes amid a broader transition period for England cricket, with the Bazball philosophy he helped embed now in the hands of the next generation. Notably, Stokes leaves as the most complete all-rounder England has produced since Ian Botham, a comparison that has followed him since his breakthrough years. The cricketing world now watches to see how England rebuild their middle order and bowling attack in his absence.
Point of View
000-plus Test runs and 200-plus wickets — understate his value; his true currency was match situations rescued and series turned. England have not produced an all-rounder of his calibre since Botham, and the pipeline does not obviously offer a like-for-like replacement. The farewell was characteristically unsentimental in its honesty: no curated press release, just a man telling the world he knew when his time was up.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Ben Stokes retire from international cricket?
Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket after England's third Test against New Zealand, with his farewell message posted on X shortly thereafter. His final appearance in England colours came during that Test match.
What did Ben Stokes say in his retirement message?
Stokes wrote on X: 'It's been a mad 15 years. It's had everything thrown in there, from the highest highs to the lowest lows (on and off the field). My time was up, and no one was going to be able to make that decision other than me.' He also expressed love for fans, teammates, family, and friends.
What are Ben Stokes's career statistics?
Stokes represented England in 122 Tests — including 44 as captain — scoring more than 7,000 runs and taking over 200 wickets. He also played 114 ODIs and 43 T20 Internationals across his 15-year career.
What are Ben Stokes's most famous innings?
Stokes is best remembered for his unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ODI World Cup final against New Zealand, which helped England win the title for the first time, and his unbeaten 135 at Headingley in the 2019 Ashes, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test innings ever played.
What is the 'Bazball' era and what was Stokes's role in it?
'Bazball' refers to England's aggressive, positive Test match approach introduced after Stokes became Test captain and Brendon McCullum became head coach. Stokes was central to embedding this philosophy, which transformed England's Test fortunes. His retirement leaves the side to carry that identity forward without its most iconic figure.
