Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket, and English cricket feels suddenly smaller. The announcement came in the middle of a Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in late June 2026, mid-spell, with the series still alive. No carefully staged farewell tour, no lingering goodbye. Just a private message to teammates that the well had run dry, followed by a public confirmation that his 15-year England career was ending. At 35, after 122 Tests, 114 ODIs and 43