Last Updated on 16 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
In a shock, news filtered through that Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket. At 3:25pm on Sunday afternoon, during England’s third Test against New Zealand, all of Trent Bridge was made aware of the news. Fans stood up as one and applauded, before Stokes – in true Stokes fashion – took a wicket off the very next ball.
Predictably, social media was filled with reactions to the news. Many were full of praise for Stokes the cricketer and everything he has achieved across formats. However, others were speculative, especially with the nightclub saga over the past few weeks and reports that Stokes wasn’t happy with the lack of public backing. Fans and pundits have questioned the timing of the announcement, especially given it was during a session of play.
Prominent journalist George Dobell wrote, “I’m not convinced Stokes is the retiring type” on X (formerly Twitter). “If he’s now been forced on his sword for breaking a pointless curfew after a match was won, that would be an absolute travesty,” wrote Piers Morgan.
In a video released by England cricket, Stokes said “reasons can wait as to why” when announcing the news to his teammates.
Praise for Ben Stokes: Reactions as England captain announces his retirement from international cricket
The news has come as a shock to many. It has given fans the chance to reminisce on Stokes’s best performances, especially in the summer of 2019.
“Stokes’s retirement huge loss to Eng cricket. One of the best to have ever played for Eng, inspirational character,” wrote one fan on X. “Probably the saddest I’ve felt about a sportsman retiring so far, the literal definition of irreplaceable,” wrote another.
In the Test itself, New Zealand’s lead swelled to over 350. It may take a Ben Stokes special to hand England a 2-1 series win.
