Ben Stokes says he will “look back with fond memories” on his time as England captain after losing to New Zealand at Trent Bridge in his final Test match as an international cricketer.
England won the first Test of a three-match series with the Black Caps, taking a 1-0 lead after emerging victorious at Lord’s.
But the series went downhill for the hosts after Stokes and seamer Gus Atkinson were banned for the second Test after breaking an ECB curfew while celebrating the Lord’s win.
New Zealand secured a resounding win at The Oval in the second Test – and followed that up with a thumping 160-run victory at Trent Bridge, where Stokes and Atkinson had been recalled.
Stokes stuns cricket world
Stokes stunned the cricket world on Sunday when it was announced, via his communications team, that he was retiring from international cricket at the conclusion of the third Test.
The Trent Bridge crowd heard the news while Stokes was coming to the end of a gruelling bowling spell – and he took a wicket after the crowd had stood to applaud his career.
But that was as good as it got for England, who lost four wickets in the evening session on Sunday chasing an unlikely 373 for victory.
Trent Bridge made day five free for spectators, but those who turned up witnessed a fielding masterclass from the Kiwis, who pulled off two stunning run outs to send Joe Root and Josh Tongue back to the pavilion.
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