England captain Ben Stokes has been given a standing ovation and a guard of honour as he opens the batting for his side in the second innings against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The moment was a poignant one, as Stokes is set to retire from international cricket after the third Test.
Stokes, who has been a key figure in England's success in recent years, has announced that he will be stepping down from the captaincy after the third Test, with the final match of his international career scheduled to take place at the Oval.
The news of Stokes' retirement comes as a shock to many in the cricketing world, with his teammates and opponents alike paying tribute to his incredible career. Stokes has been a dominant force on the field, with his batting and bowling skills earning him a reputation as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game.
As he took to the field for the second innings, Stokes was met with a guard of honour from the New Zealand team, who paid tribute to his incredible career. The England captain was visibly emotional as he accepted the tribute, with his teammates and fans in attendance giving him a standing ovation.
Stokes' retirement will be a significant blow to the England team, who will be looking to rebuild in the wake of his departure. However, his legacy will live on, with many of his teammates and fans hailing him as one of the greatest England captains of all time.