Ben Stokes retirement: NZ join England in guard of honour at Trent Bridge
Synopsis
In a scene that stopped cricket in its tracks, both England and New Zealand players formed a guard of honour for Ben Stokes at Trent Bridge — hours after his shock mid-series retirement announcement. It is the most dramatic farewell by a sitting England captain in the modern era, and it arrived in the middle of a series decider.
Key Takeaways
Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket on 28 June , mid-way through the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge .
Both England and New Zealand players formed a guard of honour as Stokes walked out to bat after the tea break on day four .
Stokes had missed the second Test following an off-field incident involving Gus Atkinson outside a Chelsea nightclub; both received written warnings from the ECB and Cricket Regulator .
In his final Test, Stokes took four wickets in New Zealand's first innings and two more in the second, and scored 15 runs with the bat.
New Zealand declared their second innings at 288 for 9 , setting England a target of 373 runs to win the series-deciding Test.
Ben Stokes, in one of the most emotional farewells in modern Test cricket, was accorded a guard of honour by both his England teammates and the New Zealand players at Trent Bridge on Sunday, 28 June, hours after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed his shock retirement from international cricket. The entire stadium rose in applause as the England captain walked out to bat for what will be the final time in international colours.
The Farewell Moment
The tribute unfolded shortly after the tea break on day four of the third Test between England and New Zealand. England's players lined up to form the guard of honour as Stokes made his way to the crease — and in a rare show of cross-team solidarity, the two New Zealand batters in the middle joined the tribute. The Trent Bridge crowd, standing to a man, gave Stokes a sustained ovation in what witnesses described as one of the most moving scenes seen at the ground.
The Retirement Announcement
The ECB confirmed Stokes's retirement barely an hour before the afternoon session, sending shockwaves through the cricket world. The announcement came in the middle of an active Test series, making it one of the most sudden and unexpected exits by a sitting England captain. Stokes himself had given no public indication prior to the announcement that his international career was drawing to a close.
A Turbulent Lead-Up to the Final Test
The week leading into Stokes's farewell match had been anything but straightforward. He had missed the second Test after an off-field incident outside a Chelsea nightclub involving England fast bowler Gus Atkinson following the first Test. The incident triggered separate investigations by the ECB and the Cricket Regulator. Both players were ultimately cleared of serious wrongdoing but received written warnings. Selectors stood them down from the second Test squad, directing each to play county cricket instead. Both performed well in the County Championship before being recalled midway through their county fixtures for the series-decider at Trent Bridge.
Stokes's Impact in His Final Match
Returning as captain, Stokes made his presence felt immediately. He claimed four wickets in New Zealand's first innings and contributed 15 runs with the bat in England's reply. He added two more wickets in the second innings as New Zealand declared at 288 for 9, setting England a victory target of 373 runs to win the final Test and clinch the series.
What Comes Next
England now face the formidable task of chasing 373 in their final innings — a fitting last chapter for a player who has made the improbable routine throughout his career. The result of the third Test will also settle the series. For English cricket, the search for Stokes's successor as captain and the challenge of filling his all-round role in the XI begin the moment the match ends.
Point of View
And the manner of the announcement — one hour before a session, with no prior public signal — suggests this was a deeply personal decision made on his own terms. The off-field turbulence that preceded the final Test adds a complicated layer to what is otherwise a celebrated exit. English cricket now faces a structural question it has been deferring: there is no obvious successor who combines Stokes's batting, bowling, and captaincy in a team built around his identity. The guard of honour from New Zealand speaks to his standing beyond partisan loyalties — but the harder conversation about transition starts the moment the series ends.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ben Stokes retire from international cricket?
Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket on 28 June, with the ECB confirming the news during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. No detailed personal reasons were publicly stated beyond the announcement itself; it came as a shock to the cricket world mid-series.
What happened during the guard of honour for Ben Stokes?
Shortly after the tea break on day four of the third Test, England players lined up to honour Stokes as he walked out to bat. The two New Zealand batters on the field joined the tribute, and the entire Trent Bridge crowd rose in applause in a widely described emotional farewell.
Why did Ben Stokes miss the second Test against New Zealand?
Stokes missed the second Test following an off-field incident outside a Chelsea nightclub involving England fast bowler Gus Atkinson after the first Test. Both players faced separate ECB and Cricket Regulator investigations, were cleared of serious wrongdoing, received written warnings, and were stood down for the second Test.
How did Ben Stokes perform in his final Test match?
Stokes took four wickets in New Zealand's first innings and two more in the second, while contributing 15 runs with the bat in England's first innings reply. New Zealand declared their second innings at 288 for 9, setting England 373 to win.
What target does England need to chase to win the series?
England need to score 373 runs in their final innings to win the third Test at Trent Bridge and secure the series against New Zealand — a chase that doubles as the final act of Ben Stokes's international career.
