Dressing-room footage of Ben Stokes announcing his retirement from international cricket to his England team-mates, released during the fourth day’s play in the third Test against New Zealand last month, may have contravened the sport’s anti-corruption code.

World cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), wrote to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on July 4 seeking an explanation after the the clip of Stokes addressing the players at Trent Bridge before the start of the day’s play was published at 3.25pm on June 28, around 15 minutes before the tea break and with the captain in the middle of an 11-over spell.

The publication ran alongside confirmation that Stokes would retire from international cricket at the conclusion of the game, which England went on to lose heavily to surrender the series 2-1.

One of England’s all-time greatest captains, Ben Stokes, has decided to retire from international cricket at the end of this Test match.

Ben, you have been the most inspirational captain, leader and legend this team could have ever hoped for.

We love you so much and wish you… pic.twitter.com/U5grq0F0kj

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026

Publishing the footage before the conclusion of the game technically contravenes the ICC’s standards for players’ and match officials’ areas (PMOA) at international matches. According to Article 2.2.11 of the PMOA minimum standards, governing bodies have to “ensure that there are no fixed or temporary video cameras or other recording equipment set up within any dressing room used by the teams for the purposes of broadcasting video or audio footage”.

The PMOA exists to support the ICC’s anti-corruption code. The ECB, who declined to comment when contacted by The Athletic, were invited to respond within 14 days before a decision is made as to whether the alleged breach merits sanction.

Stokes, who took a wicket with his first delivery after the announcement was made public and later scored a 20-ball 30 after opening the batting, made his own position clear on the potential breach by posting a link to the story on X accompanied with the caption: “Sack him …”

Sack him … https://t.co/LYQ5ZlYqDE

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 9, 2026

The 35-year-old explained to Sky at the close of play on day four that the decision around when to announce his retirement publicly had been made by the ECB in conjunction with his agents, the former players Neil Fairbrother and Michael Lumb.

“So, I spoke to the team this morning,” he said. “I spoke to Rooty (Joe Root) and Brooky (vice-captain Harry Brook) last night about everything. And I had a big job still to do today out in the field. I sort of… I was like, ‘No, let’s crack on, we’ll see how the day goes. Whatever’. But the team we have up there, the comms team and even Baz (coach Brendon McCullum)…

“I just said: ‘You guys work with Michael Lumb and Neil Fairbrother, who work with me, and you guys just come up with a plan. Just let me concentrate on what I need to do with the team.’… So everything considered, I was just like: ‘You do what you feel is best’.”

England do not play Test cricket again until August, when they take on Pakistan in a three-match series, with the ECB considering their options as to who takes on the captaincy. Brook, who has led the T20 white-ball team to a 2-0 series lead over India, would appear to be the favourite, though taking up the reins across all formats would represent a challenge.