Ben Stokes rules out England return ahead of 2027 Ashes series as departing Test captain says he is 'done' after announcing retirement
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Updated 29/06/2026 at 17:53 GMT+1
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Ben Stokes insists he will not be tempted into reversing his decision to call time on his England career before the next Ashes series against Australia in 2027, claiming he is "incredibly content with everything right now."
‘I have a ruthless side’ - Stokes eager for England to bounce back from Ashes loss
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Stokes made the shock announcement that he would retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The tourists wrapped up the third and deciding Test on the final day in Nottingham, sealing victory by 160 runs to win the series 2-1 after taking the remaining six wickets.
The scale and nature of the defeat highlighted the current plight of England's Test team, with the spotlight now falling on head coach Brendon McCullum, director of cricket Rob Key, England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould, and chair Richard Thompson.
The defeat to the Black Caps leaves England without a Test series victory since late 2024. It is their first home series loss in a contest of three or more matches since 2012 and follows last winter's 4-1 Ashes humbling.
Attention will soon turn to the next Test series against Pakistan in August, but the immediate aftermath of the defeat to New Zealand will be dominated by Stokes' sensational decision to announce his retirement mid-innings.
The Durham all-rounder revealed after stumps on Sunday that he had been contemplating retirement since the start of the series and perhaps further back, while denying that the decision was a direct result of a recently well-documented nightclub incident.
Stokes was asked after the conclusion of the third Test if he might be tempted to return for next year's Ashes series in England.
"I am incredibly content with everything right now," he told the BBC. "It is a decision I don't take lightly. It has taken a lot of time. I am done. I am very happy."
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Stokes was interviewed by BBC's Jonathan Agnew for the final time as captain
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When pressed again whether he was sure, Stokes replied: "Sure."
After a distinguished international career spanning 15 years, Stokes departs the game having represented England in 122 Tests, 114 One-Day Internationals and 43 T20s, cementing his status as one of the country's finest cricketers.
He acknowledged that the tumultuous events of recent weeks - including being dropped for the second Test against after breaching the team's midnight curfew - had played a part in reaching his decision.
"Again, there has been a series of unfortunate events happen," continued Stokes, who has been England's Test captain since 2022.
"I am sure over the next couple of weeks we will be able to decompress and say 'has it contributed?' Maybe.
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Stokes announced his retirement during the fourth day of the defeat by New Zealand at Trent Bridge
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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.
"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."
Stokes had gathered his team-mates in the dressing room to reveal his decision to retire from international cricket.
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Fighting back tears during a brief but emotional address, he urged them to join him on "one more trip" to the well and to "give absolutely everything" over the final two days. His words were met with a standing ovation from players and coaches alike.
In hindsight, his reluctance to commit to the remainder of his England contract before the match hinted that the end was already in sight.
"I will miss everything to do with this," he added. "I guess that's part of getting older. There are a lot of things you are going to miss. There are some things, maybe you are glad you don't have to do anymore."
McCullum said that he urged Stokes - who reversed a white-ball retirement to play at the 2023 World Cup - to reconsider after the England captain informed him of his decision on Sunday.
When asked to comment on Stokes' retirement, McCullum told the BBC: "He had made up his mind, and it became pretty obvious that he was keen to step away.
"From there it turned to just being a bit sad really. Sad because for four years we've worked intimately together, and we've been through a lot together.
"He was an inspiration to work with. I call him a good friend and wish him all the best for the future."
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