WATCH: Joe Root pays emotional tribute to Ben Stokes after England legend retires from international cricket

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Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket marked the end of one of the most remarkable careers in England’s cricketing history. As tributes poured in from across the cricketing world, one message stood out for its emotion and authenticity. Former England captain Joe Root, who shared the dressing room with Stokes for well over a decade, delivered a heartfelt tribute that perfectly captured the all-rounder’s extraordinary impact on English cricket.

Soon after Stokes announced his retirement following the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, the ECB released a special tribute video featuring heartfelt messages from his England teammates. In the video, Root praised Stokes for always embracing responsibility in the toughest situations and producing unforgettable match-winning performances under immense pressure.

“We’ve been through a huge amount as two players, but one thing I’ve always admired about you is, whatever’s happened, you’ve always owned your own. You can only make diamonds in pressure. Whenever the game’s been in the balance, there are only so many players that can create moments like you have. It’s been a hell of a ride mate, I’ve loved every minute playing alongside you. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to spend the journey with you, and I really look forward to, at some point, when we’re dusty old veterans like the coaching staff, sitting down having a beer,” Root said.

From one England legend to another, goodbye ❤️

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 29, 2026

England captain Harry Brook also paid an emotional tribute, highlighting how Stokes had inspired generations of cricketers through his performances across all formats. Brook singled out Stokes’ iconic unbeaten 135 at Headingley during the 2019 Ashes as one of the defining moments of modern Test cricket, describing it as an innings that will be remembered for generations.

He also praised the former captain’s contributions in England’s World Cup triumphs, Ashes campaigns and numerous match-winning performances, adding that everyone who shared a dressing room with Stokes had been fortunate to witness one of the game’s greatest competitors up close.

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Stokes brought the curtain down on a glittering 15-year international career that began in 2011. Widely regarded as one of England’s greatest all-rounders, he produced several iconic performances, including his unforgettable unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ODI World Cup final that guided England to their maiden world title.

After taking over the Test captaincy in 2022 following Root’s resignation, Stokes, alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, transformed England’s approach to red-ball cricket with the aggressive “Bazball” philosophy. Under his leadership, England recorded memorable series victories over New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan while restoring excitement to Test cricket.

Stokes retired with an outstanding international record. In 122 Tests, he scored 7,273 runs at an average of 34.46, including 14 centuries, while claiming 252 wickets with six five-wicket hauls. He also represented England in 114 ODIs, scoring 3,463 runs, and featured in 43 T20Is, adding another 585 runs to his impressive international tally.

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