England's three match home Test series against New Zealand ended in defeat, but the scoreline was overshadowed by a far bigger moment, Ben Stokes announcing his retirement from Test cricket right after the third match.
England lose the series 2-1
In the three match home series, England lost two Tests against New Zealand and won just one. Once the series wrapped up, it was not the scoreline that dominated conversation, it was Stokes' sudden decision to walk away from the format.
A retirement that caught everyone off guard
Over roughly the last one and a half decades, Stokes has been England's most important player across all three formats of the game. His sudden decision to step away from Test cricket took his teammates, former cricketers and cricket fans around the world by surprise.
Stokes' emotional post on social media
Stokes shared an emotional post on the social media platform X, opening up about his career and his feelings for the team. England Cricket also shared the post on its own X handle.
The veteran all-rounder wrote, "These 15 years have been so much fun. It has included everything from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, on the field and off it. My time was up, and no one but me could make that call."
He went on to add, "I just want to say that I love every England fan and every cricket fan who has stuck with me over all these years. I love everyone I have walked out onto the field with to represent England. There is a lot more I could say, but I hope you understand how much I loved doing what I got to do for 15 years."
Stokes ended his post by writing, "I am looking forward to becoming a fan and supporting the team. Family, friends, teammates, fans, I love you all."
A 15 year journey with England
Stokes, who played a key role in England's title winning campaigns at the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup, made his debut for England in 2011. The 35 year old all-rounder played 122 Tests, 114 ODIs and 43 T20Is for England across his 15 year career.
