NOTTINGHAM: England Ben Stokes delivered a final speech as Three Lions captain after announcing his retirement from international cricket midway through the ongoing Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Stokes will end his glittering 16-year international career after the series decider against the Black Caps.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) shared the video on its social media handles, featuring the two-time World Cup winner Stokes addressing teammates.
“There’s 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 and my last two days representing England,” Stokes said.
He said the reasons behind his decision would become clear later, while urging his teammates to give their all for the team.
“Reasons can wait why, but I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and I’ve got one more trip to do. And the only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone please do the same,” he continued.
“We’ve done a lot of hard work, still a lot of hard work to do, and the only thing that I want is to be able to walk off that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I’ve had this group of men and one lady, give everything for the last two days,” he said.
The all-rounder urged his compatriots to remain focused on winning the Test match and told them to give their all for the team, postponing any emotions surrounding his retirement until after the match.
“The only thing I want is for everyone to give it not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team and everything else we’ve got going forward for you blokes,” he stated.
“All the taps on the arse, all the emotion, all that kind of stuff, please can we just wait for the end of this game because we’ve still got stloads more work to do and I’ve got a stload more work that I want to do.”
“Let’s just go out there and give everything for another two days. That’s my only intention and that’s where all my energy is right now. Got the emotional side out of it. Now it’s time to go to work. Can everyone else please just come with me,” the 35-year-0ld concluded.
READ: Ben Stokes announces shock retirement from international cricket
