Ben Stokes announces retirement: Listen to his soul-stirring dressing-room speech

England Test captain Ben Stokes has called time on his international career with the ongoing Test match against New Zealand set to be his last.

The fast-bowling all-rounder was in the midst of a bowling spell in the second session of the fourth day of the ongoing third Test when the announcement was made. A video uploaded by England Cricket on social media showed that the 35-year-old had revealed the news to his teammates in the dressing room before taking field for the fourth day of play.

One of England's greatest allrounders

The England Cricket social media handle described Stokes as one of England's all-time greatest captains in its retirement video.

An emotional Stokes could be heard telling his teammates that the last two days of the Test match will also be the final couple of days of his England career.

"This is my last two days as your captain and my last two days as representing England," a visibly emotional England captain told his teammates.

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"The 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. The only that I ask, please, is can everyone do the same.

"We've got a lot of hard work to do and the only thing I want is to be able to walk off that field, regardless of the result, knowing that I've had this group give everything for the last two days.

"That's the only thing I want, for everyone to give it not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team. I've got the emotional side out of it. Now it's time to go to work. Please, everyone else come with me," Stokes said.

Stokes was a key figure in English cricket for the last decade with him being at the centrestage of some of the most memorable wins of the team in recent times. His 135 not out in Headingley at the 2019 Ashes is among the most iconic Test innings in recent years. He also hit a crucial half-century in the final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup where England won the title for the first time ever.

Alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, Stokes led the team in an aggressive manner which came to be known as 'Bazball'. Under Stokes, England finally won a Test in Australia after 15 years even though he could not win the Ashes Down under.

Stokes finishes his career with over 7000 Test runs and over 250 wickets. He is also a 50-over world champion and a T20 World Cup winner.