Stokes told his team-mates and the ECB his decision on Sunday morning, before the start of play. He was visibly emotional and choked up when he spoke in the dressing room, imploring his team-mates to “go out there and f***ing give absolutely everything for another two days”. He was given a standing ovation by England’s players and coaching staff.

Stokes told his team-mates that “reasons can wait [as to] why” he had retired, but his decision comes soon after he missed the second Test at The Oval on disciplinary grounds. He was not considered for selection while the ECB and the Cricket Regulator investigated his celebrations following England’s win at Lord’s, and he was later cleared of any serious wrongdoing.

He had hinted at the possibility that this Test could be his last in his pre-match press conference. Stokes was asked whether he was committed to seeing out the rest of his central contract, which runs until September 2027, and said only: “I am very clear that I am focused on the outcome of this week.”

The ECB announced the news shortly before tea on the fourth day at Trent Bridge, just after Stokes had completed the 10th over of a second mammoth spell. He received a rousing ovation from the crowd when he returned for an 11th, and immediately had Zak Foulkes caught at second slip off the following delivery, prompting wild celebrations.

Stokes later opened the batting in an attempt to “cause chaos” and belted 30 off 20 balls before he was caught at mid-on. He finishes his Test career with 7273 runs at 34.46, including 14 centuries, and 252 wickets at 30.98, including six five-wicket hauls.

Stokes’ decision leaves England’s Test team in a deepening crisis. They had won two of their last nine Tests heading into this series decider, and will need to chase 373 in the fourth innings in Nottingham – having lost four wickets in 15 overs on the fourth evening – to avoid a first defeat in a home series of three or more Tests since 2012.

Stokes’ dynamic with head coach Brendon McCullum was tested by their 4-1 defeat in Australia last winter and though both men have since insisted that they remain close, there was a clear divergence in their approaches. His relationship with ECB “suits” has long been frosty and was further tested by his perception of how they handled the recent nightclub saga.

Notably, Stokes was not quoted in the ECB’s statement announcing his retirement, which featured comments from chair, Richard Thompson, and chief executive, Richard Gould.

Stokes confirmed that he will continue to play cricket elsewhere, both for Durham and on the franchise circuit. He has not played a limited-overs international since the 2023 World Cup in India, and has not featured in a white-ball match of any description since injuring his hamstring while playing in the Hundred in August 2024.

He took over from Root as England’s Test captain in 2022, joining forces with McCullum, and led them to 11 wins in his first 13 matches in charge while playing an ultra-attacking brand of cricket. But results have since tailed off, and he will retire without leading England to victory in a series of more than three Tests.