'Everything has taken its toll': Stokes opens up on 'negative effects' of leading England
Ben Stokes said he has no second thoughts about retiring from international cricket, insisting he is "very happy" with his decision despite ending his England
Ben Stokes said he has no second thoughts about retiring from international cricket, insisting he is "very happy" with his decision despite ending his England career with a Test series defeat to New Zealand.The England captain announced on Sunday, in the middle of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, that he would retire from international cricket after the match, bringing the curtain down on a 15-year career.His final appearance in an England shirt ended on Monday when New Zealand completed a 160-run victory to win the three-match series 2-1. Stokes spent the closing stages of the match watching from the balcony outside England's dressing room.A day after making his announcement, Stokes was asked by the BBC whether he would be comfortable watching England's home Ashes series against Australia next year from his sofa.“I am incredibly content with everything right now,” Stokes said.
“It's a decision that you don't take lightly. It has taken a lot of time. I've spoken to a lot of people close to me.“I'm done, mate, and I'm very happy.”Stokes' retirement came after a difficult few weeks. He led England to victory in the opening Test at Lord's before being involved in an incident during a night out in London with teammate Gus Atkinson.The two players were present at a nightclub when a member of England's security staff was reportedly struck by a rugby player from English club Saracens.England left Stokes out of the second Test after saying he had breached contractual obligations.
He returned to captain the side in the third Test after the investigations into the incident had concluded.Looking back on the events, Stokes described the period as “unfortunate” and “interesting”. He also admitted that the episode may have played a part in his decision to retire, although he suggested it was not the only reason.“But there's an overriding fact that over the last 6-12 months I think everything that I've done over a long period of time has taken its toll,” Stokes said.“Being in this role as captain — as good as it is, as exciting as it is, how big an honour it is — there's some negative effects to doing it.
I guess that's the unfortunate side that people don't always get to see.”
The BriefWire