New Zealand join England in emotional guard of honour for retiring Ben Stokes at Trent Bridge
Nottingham, June 28
England captain Ben Stokes was given a stirring guard of honour by both his England teammates and New Zealand players at Trent Bridge on Sunday after announcing his shock retirement from international cricket.
Barely an hour after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that Stokes would retire after the third Test against New Zealand, emotional scenes unfolded in Nottingham. Shortly after the tea break on day four, England players formed a guard of honour as their captain walked out to bat. The two New Zealand batters joined the tribute. The entire Trent Bridge crowd stood to applaud one of England's greatest cricketers in a touching farewell.
The tribute came after Stokes shocked the cricket world by revealing that the match would be his final international game.
This announcement capped a dramatic week for the England captain. Stokes had just returned to the team after missing the second Test due to an off-field incident outside a Chelsea nightclub involving England fast bowler Gus Atkinson after the opening Test.
The celebrations following the first Test turned into a disciplinary matter, with both players facing separate investigations by the ECB and the Cricket Regulator. Although they were cleared of any serious issues, Stokes and Atkinson received written warnings.
During the investigations, selectors left both players out of the squad for the second Test, directing them to represent their county sides instead. Both performed well in the County Championship before being recalled midway through their county matches for the series-deciding Test at Trent Bridge.
Back as captain, Stokes made an immediate impact. He took four wickets in New Zealand's first innings and scored 15 in England's reply. He added two more wickets in the second innings as New Zealand declared at 288/9, setting England a target of 373 to win the final Test and secure the series.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Respect for Ben Stokes. He's been a warrior for England, especially in that 2019 World Cup final and the Headingley Ashes Test. But retiring mid-series after a disciplinary issue? Seems like the ECB's handling of the off-field matter has taken a toll. The guard of honour was well-deserved, but the circumstances feel rushed. Hope he finds peace away from the game.
Even New Zealand players joining the guard of honour shows the respect Stokes commands globally. As an Indian, I admire his fighting spirit and that 135* at Headingley remains unforgettable. But this retirement announcement feels sudden—was it the ECB pressure after the nightclub incident? He's only 33! What a loss for world cricket. 😢
A guard of honour from both teams is rare and special. Stokes deserves it—he's been a match-winner for England in so many situations. But the timing of this retirement after the disciplinary issue is suspicious. The ECB investigations and written warnings seem to have forced his hand. Cricket loses a great entertainer. Respect, Ben! 👏
I'm not convinced this is entirely voluntary. Stokes has always been passionate about captaincy, and walking away mid-series seems out of character. The guard of honour was lovely, but the off-field drama with Gus Atkinson—the nightclub incident—has clearly affected him. The ECB needs to reflect on how they manage player welfare. This feels like a preventable loss to the game.
Such emotional scenes at Trent Bridge! Seeing both teams form a
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