Top News

England captain Ben Stokes has explained why he decided to hang up his international boots. Ben Stokes cited a culmination of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion as the reason for his decision, not just one event.

 

Right before Day 4 of the third Test between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge, Ben Stokes took everyone by surprise when he told his England teammates that the match was his final international outing. The all-rounder requested his teammates to focus on the game first, there would be time later to talk about his decision.

 

In a video shared by the England and Wales Cricket Board, Stokes said:

 

"There's something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is that this is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England."

 

He also added:

 

"Reasons can wait, but I've had many trips to the well before for this team, and I've got one more trip to do."

 

Stokes Reveals Months of Emotional and Mental Exhaustion

 

At the end of the fourth day's play, Stokes commented that the decision had been brewing for a couple of months.

 

Stokes said:

 

"It has been the hardest thing I have had to do in my lifetime, leading England, although the greatest honour I have had in my cricketing career."

 

He added:

 

"It's been an interesting four to five weeks, and six months generally. Emotions, when this day comes to everyone, there's relief, happiness, excitement, sadness, everything you go through. All of those words I use there."

 

He also thanked his family, in particular his wife, for their support during this time when he was so far from the public spotlight.

 

Stokes said:

 

"My family, and particularly my wife, see what you go through emotionally. As good as it is, it can drain you and affect you in negative ways."

 

The England captain admitted that the sentiment had been building since the Ashes in Australia. He said that he had thrown himself into preparation for the current season at home, and he felt that he had gone over the top.

 

He said:

 

"I put so much time and effort into it, I may be possibly burnt out."

 

And he, in fact, puts his finger on the precise point where he knew it was time to leave.

 

"Everyone says about the day, what's it like, they say it hits you in the face. And I thought a few weeks ago it did. I was putting pads on yesterday, getting ready to go out there, and that was the final nail in the coffin."

 

Also Read | 3 Strong Candidates to Replace Ben Stokes in England Test Squad

 

Nightclub Controversy Was Not the Only Reason

 

Stokes also spoke about the recent nightclub controversy, claiming the entire matter was unfortunate, but certainly not the reason for his retirement.

 

Instead, he clarified that a combination of factors led to him stepping away from the world game.

 

He said:

 

"I am very excited about the next part, what I get to do going back to play for my boyhood club, Durham, really. I am comparing this week to last right now and buzzing because of it."

 

He added:

 

"There have been moments this week that have been really tough, that just add to everything and make it in the back of your mind that you're making the right decision. So many things have led me to know that this is the right decision. There's the emotional side, the physical side and the mental side."

 

Stokes now appears ready to start a new chapter at Durham, and part ways with a career in international cricket that has been nothing short of legendary, and one that was born out of an accumulation of many years of personal battles rather than any single incident.