Departing England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed why he decided to walk away from international cricket.

In a highly unorthodox move, the 35-year-old opted to make his decision public while he was out in the middle, bowling for his side during the third Test match with New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

A statement confirming the news was released at 3.25pm on Sunday’s fourth day, timed to coincide with Stokes beginning an over during a marathon spell of bowling.

As word of Stokes’ resignation made its way around the ground in Nottingham, the 17,000-strong crowd rose to their feet to acknowledge the Durham man.

With every fan in attendance willing him to get a wicket, Stokes rose to the occasion, finding the edge of Zak Foulkes’ bat before Harry Brook took a fine catch at second slip. It was absolute cinema and encapsulated everything that Stokes has become known for his 15 years in an England shirt, with four of those coming as captain.

Stokes celebrated with a beaming smile. His storybook delivery came just days after he returned to the England side, having missed the 253-run defeat at The Oval in the second test while an investigation was carried out into a late-night incident at a London nightclub following the first Test match of the series.

Together with teammate Gus Atkinson, Stokes was issued with a written warning over his behaviour by the Cricket Regulator, before both men returned to the side at Trent Bridge.

However, barely four days into his comeback appearance, Stokes informed his side in the dressing room before the start of play, that the ongoing test would be his last match as an international player.

Ben Stokes’ Retirement Decision Explored

While it is natural to assume that the disciplinary issues of the past few weeks may have prompted his decision to quit the international scene, the two-time World Cup winner insisted that other factors had convinced him to walk away.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the end of the day’s play, Stokes told Ian Ward and Stuart Broad that he had been considering his future for some time.

The New Zealand series marks England’s first test match action since Stokes presided over a dismal 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia during the winter. The departing captain insisted that it was during that series that he really began to have doubts over his future.

Why Ben Stokes Is Waking Away From International Cricket

“It’s the emotional side of this since Australia,” he began. “The way I said it to my wife was: ‘I don’t actually think I have any fight left in me to get over this, to be honest.’

Stokes concluded: “Do I have that fight in me to keep doing that? I know what it takes to walk out there and keep playing for this country. There are so many things that have leaned me towards knowing that this is the right decision. There’s the emotional side, the physical side, the mental side.”

Prior to the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy series with New Zealand, Stokes went on record to call the months following England’s Ashes embarrassment “the hardest period” of his time as captain.

Stokes, along with head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key, survived an internal review of England’s performance down under just three months ago, with all three keeping their jobs.

However, with Stokes’ departure, England must now look to rebuild without their enigmatic skipper. No decision has yet been made on who will take up the role. Former captain Joe Root has been widely tipped as the logical choice to take charge for the side’s next Test action, which comes with the visit of Pakistan in August.

Tottenham are now said to have slapped an asking price on one of their starters as they look to top up their transfer kitty. Spurs are expected to spend big this summer as they look to give Roberto De Zerbi every chance of turning a relegation-fighting team into one capable of qualifying for Europe.

De Zerbi managed to keep Spurs in the Premier League, but it’s likely he made sure he was promised a significant summer budget before even taking the job. To their credit, the Spurs chiefs are backing up those promises, with four signings already wrapped up between Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke.

More are likely to arrive, but Spurs are going to need to balance the budget at least a little.

Vicario on his way out of Tottenham this summer

Spurs are expected to sell Guglielmo Vicario this summer, with the Italian said to be keen on returning to Italy. Vicario has been a central part of Tottenham’s efforts over the last few years, and you could see how much the club’s survival meant to him at the end of last season as he celebrated with De Zerbi from the bench.

But he is now looking for a new opportunity, and Spurs are willing to play ball to welcome in some cash this summer. Juventus are said to be the primary interested party, while Inter Milan have also been linked in the past.

And according to Football Insider, Spurs are ‘fully expecting’ to sell Vicario this summer, asking for £20million. That would represent a £3million profit on the Italian for Spurs.

De Zerbi has already signed Dubravka this summer, and he also has Antonin Kinsky, who impressed him towards the end of last season. Kinsky played a key role in Tottenham’s survival, pulling off a number of top saves in Vicario’s absence through injury, and he will likely have the opportunity to fight for a number one with Dubravka next season.

Vicario cash injection could help Spurs

via Reuters

Tottenham have already spent big to land Van Hecke this summer, and they are going to continue to spend big for the rest of the summer. Spurs are looking at spending at least £80million to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, while Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali is also said to be a possible alternative target.

The North London club need a striker this summer, and they are likely to add depth to another position or two beyond that. Sales will be important to fund that mission to overhaul the squad, and £20million for Vicario will certainly help top up the coffers.

Canada are the first team through to the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 after a narrow victory against South Africa. The host nation were forced to play their first knockout game in the United States of America, but still managed to come away with a 1-0 win.

Jesse Marsch, born in the States, has guided Les Rouges to the last 16 despite being met with extreme doubt ever since his failed spell at Leeds United. Always wearing his heart on his sleeve, the 52-year-old even had to be held back from the referee after a controversial penalty decision in the game.

Nonetheless, a goal from Stephen Eustaquio in stoppage time was enough to eliminate Bafana Bafana and progress to the next round, where Canada will face the winner of the Netherlands vs Morocco.

Jesse Marsch’s Full-Time Speech vs South Africa

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Following the full-time whistle, Marsch and his players showed the extreme emotion they were feeling. The manager got into the middle of a huddle and gave an inspirational speech to his players.

ITV’s cameras and microphones captured the entire monologue. “Guys, think about the two years we’ve been together. Think about how we talked about the plan, sticking to who we want to be, playing aggressive and accessing your qualities,” the animated American said.

He went on to label the playing staff ‘Canadian heroes’ for the influence they’d have on younger generations getting involved in football. He continued:

Watch Jesse Marsch’s full speech below

Kirby Lee (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

While everyone involved with Canada, including players and fans, will have loved what they were hearing from the man who just took them to World Cup history, not everyone felt the same.

Marsch often got comparisons with fictional American college football coach Ted Lasso during his time in the Premier League. Supporters of other nations were quick to accuse the Canadian boss of ‘copying’ the TV character.

One X user said: “Jesse Marsch is literally Ted Lasso, isn’t he? Such a strange man, and an American kissing the Canadian badge, wow!”

Another claimed: “The Ted Lasso vibes from Jesse Marsch are overwhelming,” while a fan stated Marsch was ‘leaning into’ the character: “Jesse Marsch really leans into the Ted Lasso thing.”

Others were even harsher on the World Cup boss, with one claiming the real man is more ‘cartoonish’: “Jesse Marsch famously didn’t like being likened to Ted Lasso. It was an unfair comparison. Ted Lasso is much less cartoonish.”

One asked for the ‘performative’ stuff to be kept to a minimum. “Less of this performative Ted Lasso bulls*** please. This team is winning and doing well despite Jesse. Not because of.”