Hours after announcing his retirement from international cricket, England Test captain Ben Stokes has confirmed that he will continue playing domestic cricket. The legendary all-rounder said his England career is over but he has no plans to walk away from the game completely.
Stokes made this announcement during the fourth day (Sunday) Third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. He promoted himself to open the batting while chasing England’s target of 373 runs. The left-handed batsman played an aggressive innings of 30 runs off 20 balls before being dismissed in his final international innings.
This decision is really the best thing to happen to me now – Ben Stokes
Speaking to BBC’s Test Match Special, Ben Stokes said that he will continue playing domestic cricket after retiring from international cricket. He believes that a step away from international cricket will help him continue to enjoy the game.
“Yeah, I’m… (I’m) going to go back and play some county cricket and other opportunities that are available at the moment,” Stokes told BBC’s Test Match Special.
“I love cricket. Coming back with Durham, I got a new lease of life with my connection with cricket and this week I couldn’t get that feeling back, as much as I tried.”
He said, “This decision really is the best thing to happen to me now. It will allow me to still love the game. I’m very excited to be back playing for my boyhood club Durham.”
Ben Stokes ends England career after memorable Test captaincy
Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket before the tea break on the fourth day of the third Test in Nottingham. He captained the Test team in 44 matches, winning 24 of them and finishing with an impressive win percentage of 54.54.
Although his international career has ended, Stokes confirmed that he will continue to play domestic cricket. The all-rounder plans to represent Durham and is also expected to explore opportunities in franchise T20 leagues around the world.
Injuries played an important role in Stokes’ decision. He recently had facial surgery before the English summer and has suffered a number of knee and hamstring injuries during his career, making it difficult to continue at international level.
Ben Stokes started the aggressive final innings for England
Ben Stokes brought the curtain down on his England career in trademark style. Chasing 373 after New Zealand declared the innings at 288/9, he encouraged himself to open the batting and received a guard of honor from the New Zealand players before taking strike.
The left-handed batsman played an aggressive innings of 30 runs in just 20 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes. His innings ended when he was caught at mid-on by Daryl Mitchell off the bowling of Jack Foulkes. He received a standing ovation from the Trent Bridge crowd as he walked out in his final international innings.
Stokes retired as one of England’s greatest all-rounders. He recently became the second player after Jacques Kallis to score more than 7,000 Test runs and take more than 250 Test wickets. He also played a key role in England’s ODI and T20 World Cup victories and finished his Test career with 14 centuries and six five-wicket hauls.