When the news was announced at Trent Bridge during ​play, it drew a standing ovation from the crowd, and Stokes ​took a wicket with his first ball afterwards.

The 35-year-old, who made his international debut in 2011, has captained England’s test team since 2022.

A talismanic ​figure known for his fearless batting and defiant leadership helped ​England win their first 50-over World Cup seven years ago with an ‌unbeaten ⁠84 in the final.

His unbeaten 135 at Headingley the same summer, which guided England to a one-wicket win over Australia after they had been bowled out for 67 in the first ​innings, is widely ​regarded as ⁠one of the greatest test innings of all time.

“Ben Stokes leaves the international game as one ​of England’s greatest ever cricketers and one of ​the ⁠defining figures of his generation,” ECB chair Richard Thompson said in a statement.

“His performances under pressure, his relentless competitiveness and his ⁠ability to ​produce the extraordinary when it matters ​most have given me and millions of other fans memories that will endure ​forever.”