Ben Stokes ends international career with 160-run defeat to New Zealand

Ben Stokes saw his international career end in a 160-run defeat to New Zealand, watching from the balcony as his England side surrendered the series decider to mark the end of an era.

On Sunday, news of Stokes' retirement broke mid-afternoon, as he was playing during the fourth day of England's third Test at Trent Bridge.

During his international career, Stokes became known for delivering match-winning performances under pressure on the field, but also for incidents off it.

The end of Stokes' era comes exactly three weeks after the nightclub visit that plunged England into turmoil and cast his own future into doubt.

After a disciplinary investigation, he and Gus Atkinson were handed a written conduct warning by the England and Wales Cricket Board for breaching "specific contractual obligations".

In the end, they were effectively cleared of anything more than being out in the early hours following a Test victory at Lord's.

In his final game, England were bowled out for 212 midway through the day to lose 2-1 - their first home series loss since the skipper and head coach Brendon McCullum took charge four years ago.

Until today, England had not lost a home series of at least three matches since 2012, a result that brought Andrew Strauss' captaincy to a close.

Stokes leaves behind a team that has been defeated seven times in their last nine Test outings, including a dismal 4-1 Ashes loss in the winter.

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McCullum and managing director Rob Key will need to quickly steer the team in the opposite direction to remove question marks over their future.

On Sunday evening, Stokes rearranged the batting order, casting himself as a tone-setting opener, but was out for 30.

On Monday, he led them to the ground one last time, stopping to sign autographs for a handful of waiting fans.

From 103 for four overnight, England slumped to 116 for six in the first 15 minutes.

Emilio Gay, making just his third Test appearance and shunted down from opener to number six in the reshuffle, endured a couple of near misses before his fourth-over exit, when Nathan Smith grazed his outside edge.

Called through for a quick single from the non-striker's end just four balls after Gay's dismissal, Joe Root then fell to an exceptional run out from Henry Nicholls.

Jamie Smith and Atkinson then held firm for 23 overs against a dwindling attack, carrying two walking wounded in Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke.

There were moments of uncertainty throughout the game, but Smith was still alive to boundary options, whipping straight balls off his pads and clobbering Mitchell Santner for a straight six, while Atkinson settled in to the supporting role.

The latter was prised out shortly before the break, LBW to Santner's left-arm spin for a hard-fought 19.

The end was in sight, for England and Stokes, when Jofra Archer was caught behind trying to leave one and Josh Tongue was run out by another clever piece of fielding from Santner.

Smith was last man out, holing out for a well-earned 60 to seal New Zealand's statement win and close the chapter on Stokes' England.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ben Stokes ends international career with 160-run defeat to New Zealand