All posts tagged: Stokes

Stokes’ cheeky jibe after ICC contact ECB over retirement video

Stokes’ cheeky jibe after ICC contact ECB over retirement video

2 min readJul 9, 2026 09:05 PM IST After the International Cricket Council (ICC) contacted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the timing and manner of Ben Stokes’ retirement announcement during the third Test against New Zealand last month, the man himself took to social media to deliver a cheeky dig on the situation. Stokes had made his decision to retire public on the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test with the ECB filming the speech that he had made to his teammates inside the dressing room ahead of the day’s play and posting on social media when the match was still in progress. The ICC alleged that publishing the footage before the conclusion of the Test breached its minimum standards governing Players’ and Match Officials’ Areas (PMOA) at international matches. Sack him … https://t.co/LYQ5ZlYqDE — Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 9, 2026 Stokes on Thursday quote tweeted the report on his social media and gave just a 2-word reaction. “Sack him,” the former England captain said playfully. The ICC’s letter reportedly cites …

ICC contacts ECB over Ben Stokes retirement video released mid-Test vs NZ

ICC contacts ECB over Ben Stokes retirement video released mid-Test vs NZ

4 min readJul 8, 2026 10:56 PM IST The International Cricket Council (ICC) has contacted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the timing and manner of Ben Stokes’ retirement announcement during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge last month, according to a BBC report. The report said the ICC’s letter was sent on the eve of the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s, where ECB chair Richard Thompson met ICC chairman Jay Shah. The ECB is yet to formally respond. Stokes’ decision to retire from international cricket was made public on the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test while the match was still in progress. The former England captain had informed his teammates of his decision before play began that morning in an address inside the dressing room, which was filmed by the ECB. 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 …

Stokes’ cheeky jibe after ICC contact ECB over retirement video

McCullum on Ben Stokes’ sudden retirement

3 min readJun 30, 2026 04:47 PM IST After Ben Stokes caught the cricketing world off guard when he announced his retirement from international cricket in the middle of the 3rd England vs New Zealand Test on Sunday, England head coach Brendon McCullum revealed that he had tried to coax the then-England captain to reconsider his decision. “When he confirmed to me that he was going to retire, first I tried to talk him down and… (it) became pretty obvious that he had made his decision and he was at peace within,” McCullum told Sky Sports. “From that point of view, I guess your emotion then leads on to just a bit of sadness really because you have been on this journey together for four years and it’s been a real thrill. I feel very privileged that I’ve been able to work intimately with Stokesy throughout that and consider him a friend, a good friend,” he added. Stokes’ last match in England whites ended in defeat when they lost the third match to the Kiwis …

Steve Harmison Calls for Brendon McCullum’s Exit After Ben Stokes’ Retirement

Steve Harmison Calls for Brendon McCullum’s Exit After Ben Stokes’ Retirement

The 47-year old Steve Harmison has called for England head coach Brendon McCullum to quit after Ben Stokes’ retirement announcement. Harmison was not a fan of Bazball cricket that McCullum introduced during his head coach stint with England cricket. Despite some initial success, the bazball cricket has been considered a failure in recent times. They suffered a 4-1 defeat in the Ashes and a 2-2 draw against India. They are also in verge of suffering a defeat in the final test of the New Zealand tour of England 2026. Three Lions will be needing 270 runs on the final day of the decider test at Nottingham. According to Steve Harmison, the duo was taking the England cricket team forward, and if Stokes is not there, the New Zealand team should also quit. Addressing the topic, Steve Harmison said, “McCullum has got to go with him. And that’s it. If we’re gonna go through that conversation, McCullum’s got to go with him. I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Brendon McCullum as a person, but …

‘McCullum got to go with Stokes’: Former Ashes winner uses strong words and wants New Zealander out of England set-up

‘McCullum got to go with Stokes’: Former Ashes winner uses strong words and wants New Zealander out of England set-up

Former England fast bowler and Ashes winner Steve Harmison wants head coach Brendon McCullum to quit too in the wake of the international retirement of Ben Stokes on Sunday, during day four of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum shared a great bond. (AFP) The 47-year-old, who played 63 Tests for England and took 226 wickets, is not happy with the Bazball cricket that McCullum has introduced in English cricket since taking over as a coach. After some initial success, it has floundered big time in recent months. They lost the Ashes 4-1 and, before they drew 2-2 at home against India. The ongoing series… they might end up losing too. They need 270 more to win with just six wickets in hand on the last day. Also Read: I believe Ben Stokes was pushed to the wall and he finally decided to break himself free of the shackles Harmison appears to be of the opinion that they were a partnership to take English cricket forward, and …

Ben Stokes explains retirement call

Ben Stokes explains retirement call

4 min readJun 29, 2026 08:38 AM IST Ben Stokes stunned the cricket world on Sunday as he announced his immediate retirement from international cricket at the end of the ongoing Test match between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The England Test captain has been in the eye of a storm for the past few weeks after being involved in an altercation with a Saracens rugby player in a nightclub alongside teammate Gus Atkinson after the first Test at Lord’s. Returning to lead the side this week after a one-match suspension, Stokes broke the news of his retirement to his teammates in the dressing room mid-way through Day 4 of the Test match, where the hosts were eventually set a target of 353. The 35-year-old later explained the reason behind his decision to call it quits. ALSO READ | Ben Stokes retires: the bottle, the kit bag, and a career like no other “Since the Ashes, it’s been really tough,” said Stokes, who was appointed England’s longest-format captain in 2022. “It’s the best …

England captain Ben Stokes announces retirement mid-game at Trent Bridge | Cricket News

England captain Ben Stokes announces retirement mid-game at Trent Bridge | Cricket News

2 min readUpdated: Jun 28, 2026 08:15 PM IST England captain Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket after the third Test against New Zealand, the England team announced on Sunday. The shock announcement was made mid-way through the fourth day 4 of the ongoing Test at Trent Bridge. According to a report by BBC, Stokes was actually in the middle of a bowling spell when a statement on his behalf was released. And right after the announcement, with the first delivery Stokes picked up the wicket of Zak Foulkes (caught at second slip). Retirement means Stokes will pull curtains on a 15-year international career that peaked when he starred for England in its win over New Zealand in the 50-over World Cup final in 2019. In his career, Stokes played 122 Tests for England. Of these, 44 of which were as captain of the national side. Stokes also played 114 one-day internationals and 43 T20Is. this includes the role he played in the T20 2022 World Cup final. He also was a key player …

Stokes on why it was hard to see reaction Root was getting after ENG loss vs NZ

Stokes on why it was hard to see reaction Root was getting after ENG loss vs NZ

3 min readJun 24, 2026 11:31 PM IST England captain Ben Stokes said it hurt him as a friend when he saw the reaction Joe Root was getting after the English side was thrashed by New Zealand by 253 runs in the second Test at the Oval. Stokes was dropped from the team for the Test after an altercation involving a Saracens rugby union player in a nightclub after the 1st Test after which Root was selected as interim captain for the second Test. “It’s always difficult. I was obviously playing for Durham and watching how things were going. I guess, for me, Joe Root in particular is someone who, we’ve known each other since we were kids, and he got put into a situation which he never thought would probably have to be bestowed upon him again after walking away from captaincy. But I think that in itself shows that not only is he one of the greats of the game on the field, but I think it shows a lot about his character,” …

Ben Stokes takes responsibility after England axe

Ben Stokes takes responsibility after England axe

3 min readJun 24, 2026 11:11 PM IST England Test captain Ben Stokes has said he apologised to his teammates after being dropped for the second Test for disciplinary reasons. England ultimately lost to New Zealand, and a returning Stokes admitted he had been “man enough” to own up to his mistake, while also acknowledging this is the “highest amount of pressure” he and head coach Brendon McCullum have faced as captain and head coach. Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped from the second Test against New Zealand after breaking a midnight curfew during an incident at a London nightclub, following England’s series-opening win at Lord’s. In their absence, a stand-in England side led by Joe Root suffered a 253-run thrashing at The Oval, as New Zealand levelled the series at 1-1 heading into the Nottingham finale at Trent Bridge, which begins on Thursday. When asked if he had apologised to his teammates, Stokes said: “Yeah, of course. That was one of the first things I had to do as a captain. You …

Ben Stokes returns in 3rd ENG vs NZ Test after getting dropped from 2nd match

Ben Stokes returns in 3rd ENG vs NZ Test after getting dropped from 2nd match

3 min readJun 21, 2026 09:10 PM IST England on Sunday recalled captain Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson for the third and final Test against New Zealand which is set to start on June 25 in Trent Bridge. The duo were dropped from the team for the second Test due to ECB investigating a nightclub incident involving the two after the 1st Test. “Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been included in the England Men’s squad for the third Rothesay Test against New Zealand following the conclusion of an ECB disciplinary hearing in relation to their conduct in the early hours of Monday 8 June. Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket,” ECB said in a statement. “In addition to not being considered for selection for the second Rothesay Test, they have both been given a written warning as to their conduct. It was also concluded that …