'I'm done' - Stokes rules out reversing retirement

Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a distinguished 15-year career. The decision was confirmed following England's 160-run defeat, which sealed a 2-1 series loss, marking the conclusion of one of England's greatest cricketers' journeys.

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Am I sure over the next couple of weeks we will be able to decompress and say, 'Has it contributed?' Maybe.

Head coach Brendon McCullum revealed he tried to convince Stokes to continue his international career after the all-rounder informed him of his plans on Sunday. Stokes, however, remained composed after the match, sharing embraces with opponents and waving to the crowd. He had previously stated on Sunday that retirement was the "best thing" for him.

On Monday, Stokes elaborated on his decision, admitting that recent incidents, including being dropped from the second Test against New Zealand for breaking team curfew, played a role. "There has been a series of unfortunate events happen," Stokes said. He acknowledged that further reflection might reveal the extent of their contribution but stressed that the primary reason was the cumulative toll of his career over the past six to 12 months.

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But the overriding fact is that over the last six to 12 months everything I have done over a long period has taken its toll.

Stokes described the role of an international cricketer as "good," "exciting," and a "big honour," but also acknowledged its "negative aspects." This retirement marks the end of an era for English cricket, with Stokes leaving behind a legacy of impactful performances across Test, ODI, and T20 formats.

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Being in this role, as good as it is, as exciting as it is, and as big an honour as it is, there are some negative aspects.