This game will be followed by a seven-week break for the red-ball side before they return for a three-match series against Pakistan in August, during which a replacement will be identified.<\/p>\n
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Stokes made his Test debut in Adelaide during the 2013-14 Ashes and the 35-year-old all-rounder is playing in his 122nd Test, placing him sixth on England\u2019s all-time list, and his 279th international appearance. Among many career highlights, he was a key member of the England teams who won the 2019 50-over World Cup and the T20 version in 2022.<\/p>\n
He informed his teammates on Sunday before the start of the fourth day, with footage of his speech recorded by the ECB<\/a>. \u201cThere\u2019s something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is that this is my last two days as your captain, my last two days representing England,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cReasons can wait. But I\u2019ve had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand, and I\u2019ve got one more trip to do. And the only thing I ask is can everyone please just be the same.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of hard work still to do, and the only thing I want is to be able to walk off that field regardless of the result knowing that I\u2019ve had this group of men, and one lady, do everything for the last two days. It\u2019s the only thing I want, just for everyone to give it not only for me selfishly but also for this team. So let\u2019s just go out there and give everything for another two days. Now it\u2019s time to go to work and can everyone else please just come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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