One last wicket, one final swing: Ben Stokes gives Trent Bridge a goodbye to remember
Ben Stokes did not script the fairytale finish with the bat, but Trent Bridge still delivered the farewell one of England's greatest all-rounders deserved. Hours
Ben Stokes did not script the fairytale finish with the bat, but Trent Bridge still delivered the farewell one of England's greatest all-rounders deserved. Hours after announcing his shock retirement from international cricket, the England captain struck a typically aggressive 30 and picked up a magically-timed wicket before walking off to a standing ovation and a guard of honour from New Zealand. Read Full Story The announcement stunned the cricketing world earlier on Sunday, with Stokes informing his teammates before the start of play that the ongoing third Test against New Zealand would be his last appearance for England. In a video shared by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the 35-year-old delivered an emotional message to the dressing room before taking the field. ENG vs NZ, 3rd Test Day 4: HIGHLIGHTS "There's something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England," Stokes said. "Reasons can wait but I've had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and I've got one more trip to do. "And the only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone please just do the same? We've got a lot of hard work still to do." A guard of honour, for the man who has given everything pic.twitter.com/nfjLkLC7wO— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026 The emotion around Trent Bridge only deepened once the news filtered through the stadium.
Stokes was in the middle of a long bowling spell when spectators realised they were watching the final overs of an extraordinary England career. The entire ground rose to applaud him, and in a moment that felt almost written for Hollywood, he dismissed Zakary Foulkes with the very next ball, prompting another deafening roar from the Nottingham crowd. The moment England fans saw Ben Stokes wicket... seconds after hearing he was retiring Pick a different fan each time and just keep watching pic.twitter.com/R0maoXBmWi— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026 STOKES SIGNS OFF IN TYPICAL STYLE If the standing ovation was emotional, Stokes' final innings was unmistakably Ben Stokes. England were set a daunting target of 373 after Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten century for New Zealand, and Stokes himself to open the batting for only the third time in his 122-Test career. It was a bold move, but one that perfectly reflected the fearless brand of cricket he has championed as captain. He announced himself immediately with a crunching drive off his very first delivery and survived an early reprieve when New Zealand spilled a chance. Rather than retreat into caution, Stokes did what he has done throughout his career and counterattacked. A towering six off Zakary Foulkes disappeared into the leg side before another maximum came against Nathan Smith, while two crisp boundaries kept England's chase alive and Trent Bridge thoroughly entertained.
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