Ben Stokes, one of England's greatest all-rounders, has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career that redefined the sport. The 35-year-old leaves behind a legacy filled with unforgettable moments, from World Cup glory to Ashes heroics. Here are five massive milestones that defined his iconic journey.
1. The 2019 Cricket World Cup Final
Stokes played the innings of a lifetime in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord's. Chasing 242, he scored an unbeaten 84 off 98 balls, including a crucial over that saw 14 runs. His knock, aided by a controversial deflection off his bat for four overthrows, took the match to a Super Over. England won on boundary count, and Stokes was named Player of the Match. According to the ICC, it was the greatest ODI final in history.
2. The Headingley Ashes Miracle
In the 2019 Ashes at Headingley, Stokes produced one of the greatest Test innings ever. Chasing 359, England were 286-9 when he took charge. He smashed 135 not out off 219 balls, hitting 11 fours and 8 sixes, and added a 76-run last-wicket stand with Jack Leach. The victory leveled the series 1-1 and is widely regarded as the best Test innings of the modern era.
3. The 2019 World Cup Super Over
After the tied final, Stokes was entrusted with batting in the Super Over alongside Jos Buttler. He scored 8 off 3 balls, including a crucial boundary, setting New Zealand a target of 16. Though New Zealand matched it, England won on boundaries. Stokes later said, "That was the most pressure I've ever felt in my life."
4. The 2022 Test Captaincy and 2023 Ashes
Stokes was appointed England Test captain in 2022 after Joe Root stepped down. Under his leadership, England adopted a fearless "Bazball" approach, winning 10 of his first 12 Tests. In the 2023 Ashes, he led from the front with a stunning 155 at Lord's and a 108-ball 80 at Headingley, though England lost the series 2-1. His captaincy was praised for its aggressive mindset.
5. The 2019-20 South Africa Tour
In the 2019-20 tour of South Africa, Stokes scored a match-winning 120 in the first Test at Centurion, helping England win by 107 runs. He also took key wickets and was named Player of the Series. His all-round performance across formats earned him the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year award in 2019.
Stokes retires with 5,416 Test runs at 36.34, 2,924 ODI runs at 38.98, and 1,227 T20I runs at 26.08, along with 197 Test wickets, 74 ODI wickets, and 26 T20I wickets. His impact on English cricket is immeasurable.
