England head coach Brendan McCullum described Ben Stokes as a “legend” after the captain confirmed the third Test with New Zealand will be his final game as an international cricketer.
Stokes took four for 70 in New Zealand’s first-innings score of 438 all out but only scored 15 runs with the bat as England replied with 354 all out.
New Zealand then racked up 288-9 declared after 94 overs of their second innings, with Daryl Mitchell (100no off 241 balls) and Rachin Ravindra (94 off 149) hurting the hosts.
Shock retirement
Stokes was in the middle of a long mid-afternoon bowling stint when the ECB revealed the news of his retirement from international cricket.
The shock news transmitted to the crowd, who rose to their feet to acknowledge the England skipper, who then took a wicket with the next ball as Harry Brook snared a slip catch.
Stokes ended the second innings with two for 49, with Jofra Archer taking four for 52 and Gus Atkinson two for 50.
The Durham all-rounder then decided to open the batting for England’s second innings, and he hit a swashbuckling 30 off 20 balls before heading back to the pavilion alongside Ben Duckett (36 off 42 balls), Jacob Bethell (0) and Brook (21 off 9).
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England teetering
Zak Foulkes took three for 42 to leave England teetering on 103 for four at stumps – and facing defeat in Stokes’ final Test match for his country.
England won the first Test at Lord’s, then slumped to a heavy defeat in the second Test at The Oval, which Stokes and Atkinson missed due to suspension after breaking an ECB curfew while celebrating the Lord’s win.
Stokes and McCullum memorably combined to create ‘BazBall’, an approach focused on players playing with freedom and attacking intent.
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Greatest moments
The head coach told Sky Sports at close of play: “Stokesy has provided some of the greatest moments of cricket that England has ever seen.
“For young players, he’s been a legend that inspires them to pick up a bat, to play with heart and bravery and to give absolutely everything for his team.
“For me, the last four years have been an incredible journey.
“While his time as our skipper has come to an end, he will always be a great friend.
“May the next chapter for Ben Stokes be as great as the last.”
Negative feelings
Stokes himself admitted he had possibly “burnt out” as an international cricketer after four gruelling years as skipper full of highs and lows on and off the pitch.
He told Sky Sports: “The whole Lord’s Test to me was something that I guess brought back some negative feelings about where I was in my career.
“I’d worked so hard from getting back home [from the Ashes] to try and make things right – that’s what I thought I was doing.
“I’d put so much time and effort into it, I maybe potentially had burnt myself out.
“When I got to that week at Lord’s, it was a very interesting and strange feeling to go into that game.
“I gave myself as much time, I spoke to as many people as I possibly could through the process of this.
“As I was putting me pads on yesterday [Saturday], getting ready to go out there, that was that sort of [the] last nail in the coffin.”
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Rocky times
Stokes added: “I’ve been through some rocky times, personally, having to feel like I’m pushing myself through and feel like I’m having to do something because it’s the right thing to do.
“To be honest, it might sound quite selfish, but this decision is generally the best thing for me right now.
“Whether that means it’s the best thing for the team going forward, I hope so.
“It comes down to what I think is going to allow me to still love this game that I’ve played since I was a kid and has given me a career.
“I’m very excited about the next part of what I get to do – going back and playing for my boyhood club Durham.
“There’s been moments this week where it’s been really tough and again that just adds to everything.
“It really makes it very clear in your mind that you’re probably making the right decision.”
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