06/28/26 12:54:00
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06/28 12:52 CDT Stokes makes remarkable mid-match retirement call as New
Zealand closes on series-clinching win
Stokes makes remarkable mid-match retirement call as New Zealand closes on
series-clinching win
NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) --- England captain Ben Stokes made a stunning
mid-match retirement announcement, took a wicket off his very next ball and was
later dismissed for an explosive 20-ball 30 in his final test innings as New
Zealand finished an extraordinary Day 4 of the deciding test on course for a
series-clinching win.
On one of the most remarkable days in the history of English cricket, Stokes
invariably took center stage -- even though his actions might not have been in
the best interests of the team he has led for the past four years.
New Zealand's players left the Trent Bridge field on the cusp of delivering one
of the country's great test series victories, with England reaching stumps on
103-4 after 15 overs and still needing 270 runs in its seemingly forlorn chase
of 373 to win on a deteriorating pitch.
This test, however, will likely be better remembered for a dramatic exit from
international cricket by Stokes, who had only just been recalled to the team
after missing the second test for disciplinary reasons.
About 15 minutes before tea and with New Zealand completely on top, an England
statement was published saying Stokes would be retiring from national-team duty
at the end of the match in Nottingham. He had informed his teammates of his
decision at the start of the day's play, making an emotional speech in the
dressing room.
With his first ball after the announcement filtered out, Stokes sent down a
delivery that was edged by New Zealand batter Zak Foulkes to second slip where
the catch was taken by Harry Brook, the man likely to take over as England test
captain.
It was quite the symbolic moment.
Stokes led the team to the dressing room at the end of the session to a
standing ovation from fans --- and about an hour later, with New Zealand having
declared on 288-9 and Daryl Mitchell unbeaten on a gutsy 100, the outgoing
England captain was walking out with Ben Duckett after promoting himself to
open the batting in the chase.
Determined to go out in a blaze of glory, Stokes slog-swept, scooped and
smashed shots to the ropes in hitting two sixes and two fours in a 37-minute
knock that was something of a blur.
The end came with England on 50-0, with Stokes flaying Foulkes to Mitchell at
mid-on. Cue another standing ovation.
Four more batters were dismissed, including Brook, who hit a six and a four off
his first two balls before departing for 21.
Not since 1999 has New Zealand won a series in England of three tests or more
but it is a huge favorite now to clinch a 2-1 win.
Joe Root was unbeaten on 9 and Emilio Gay was 6 not out.
The English haven't lost a home series of three tests or more since 2012. If
they do, there would be more pressure on the team's leadership after a
humiliating 4-1 Ashes series defeat and subsequent concerns about its
professionalism in the wake of the dropping of Stokes and Gus Atkinson for the
second test for a disciplinary matter.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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