{"id":768877,"date":"2026-06-30T01:20:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T01:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/768877\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T01:20:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T01:20:26","slug":"ben-stokes-to-watch-ashes-from-hospitality-box-after-series-defeat-to-new-zealand-in-farewell-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/768877\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Stokes to watch Ashes from \u2018hospitality box\u2019 after series defeat to New Zealand in farewell Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ben Stokes has swiped away suggestions he could be tempted back to face Australia in next winter\u2019s Ashes<\/a> series battles in England.<\/p>\n

Twenty four hours after dropping the bombshell announcement<\/a> that he was retiring from international cricket with almost immediate effect, he dismissed thoughts of any comeback, even against the Aussies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m done,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had a few questions asking whether I\u2019ll be able to sit on my sofa watching next year. I know it\u2019s the Ashes, but I\u2019ll probably be watching it in a hospitality box somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stokes does have form with treating retirements as temporary affairs, ending his ODI career only to return for the 2023 World Cup.<\/p>\n

He also persuaded Moeen Ali to come back for one last Ashes assignment after he walked away from Test cricket. But Stokes insists: \u201cI am incredibly content with everything right now\u201d.<\/p>\n

Stokes quit on the fourth day of the third and decisive Test with New Zealand, who spoiled any hopes of a winning farewell by wrapping up the match, and the series, the following day.<\/p>\n

Ben Stokes is backing Harry Brook to replace him as England\u2019s Test captain, insisting it is a \u201cnatural progression\u201d for his deputy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I was to be asked who I think should do it, I would be throwing my 100 per cent support behind Harry Brook,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are asked to be vice-captain for a reason and I was vice-captain under Joe for a long time. It\u2019s the natural progression. You don\u2019t ask someone to be vice-captain if you don\u2019t think he\u2019s got the skills and ability to captain the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BenBen Stokes has farewelled Test cricket with a loss. Credit: Getty<\/p>\n

Stokes offered a less effusive take when it came to head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key, the other two power players of the \u2018Bazball\u2019 era that has now closed.<\/p>\n

After seven defeats in the last nine Tests, and a rare home series defeat on their record, both men need to see an improvement in results and a reduction in off-field headlines.<\/p>\n

Stokes said: \u201cI\u2019m done now, I don\u2019t have to take those kind of decisions and be involved in all that stuff. One of the nice feelings of the situation I\u2019m in now is that I don\u2019t have to worry about that stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Zealand have won a Test series in England for the fourth time by wrapping up a 160-run victory in the third Test at Trent Bridge, bringing down the curtain on the international career of home captain Ben Stokes on a losing note.<\/p>\n

Resuming on 4-103 and chasing an unlikely 373 to win, England were dismissed for 212 soon after lunch on the fifth day as New Zealand clinched the series 2-1 with a 160-run victory, bringing down the curtain on the international career of Stokes on a losing note.<\/p>\n

Stokes did not have an active role on the final day since he was dismissed for 30 late on Sunday after opening the batting.<\/p>\n

It was England\u2019s first defeat in a home series of three or more Tests since 2012. The team have lost seven of their last nine Test matches, a streak that piles the pressure on the leadership team of McCullum and Key.<\/p>\n

New Zealander McCullum addressed speculation over his own future, saying: \u201cMy enthusiasm for English cricket and my commitment to English cricket has never wavered. I\u2019ve got a firm belief in the direction that this team can go.\u201d<\/p>\n

England\u2019s final-day hopes realistically rested on Joe Root and Emilio Gay but they both departed in the fourth over, having walked to the middle with the boundary boards around the ground displaying the message: \u201cThank you Ben Stokes.\u201d<\/p>\n

A seventh-wicket stand of 75\u00a0between Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson held up New Zealand\u2019s charge before lunch, before Atkinson (19) was trapped lbw by spinner Mitchell Santner.<\/p>\n

The end came 15 minutes into the second session, when Smith was dismissed for 60.<\/p>\n

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell, whose gutsy second innings 100 not out did much to put the match beyond England\u2019s reach, said: \u201cWe\u2019re a small country down the bottom of the Earth and something we pride ourselves on is we get stuck into whatever is needed to be done and try and get the job done.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ellyse Perry inspires World Cup win with pre-innings chat<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Ben Stokes indulges in final act of Bazball hubris after bombshell exit<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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