For a player who lived lifetimes in all the moments he created, I'm sad Stokes had to leave this way. He's the one guy who genuinely had that "I'm gonna win" attitude, you could see it in his playing style and in his captaincy. He didn't need all the PR machinery around him. The organic Stokes show was brilliant enough to not need the forced one - the kind where he would have to open the innings to steal the spotlight.
"I said to my wife 'I don't actually think I have anymore fight left in me to get over this to be honest.'"
Ben Stokes explains his decision to retire 🔊
Ian Botham was famously asked "who writes your scripts" ... the same could be said of Ben Stokes ... the ball after news of his retirement was broken to the ground
One of England's all-time greatest captains, Ben Stokes, has decided to retire from international cricket at the end of this Test match.
Ben, you have been the most inspirational captain, leader and legend this team could have ever hoped for.
We love you so much and wish you all the best in your retirement ❤️
England will never be the same again.