Ben Stokes will not be coming back. England’s latest central contracts list, announced on October 12, confirms the great all-rounder remains retired from international cricket.
The ECB handed out a record 39 contracts this year, 30 full and 9 development deals. Stokes and fast bowler Mark Wood are both listed as retired players. It closes the door, for now, on any comeback talk ahead of next year’s Ashes.
Fleming: asking him back would be “wrong”
New England Test coach Stephen Fleming made the position clear last month. He said it would be “wrong” to ask Stokes to reverse his retirement. Fleming met the former captain at Durham and said Stokes is “really happy and at peace with his decision”.
Stokes announced his retirement from all formats on June 28, on day four of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. He told his teammates that morning, then took a wicket with his first ball after the news broke.
A 15-year legacy
Stokes played 122 Tests across 15 years, starting with his debut in the 2013 Ashes. He was central to England’s 2019 ODI World Cup win and the 2022 T20 World Cup triumph.
In his farewell message he told his teammates: “I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team… I’ve got one more trip to do.” He still plays for his county side Durham and has signed with the Adelaide Strikers for Australia’s Big Bash League.
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