'The best thing for me': Stokes opens up on retirement decision

Ben Stokes revealed that his decision to retire from international cricket had been weighing on him since England's Ashes tour of Australia, insisting it was ultimately the right call for both himself and the game he still loves, reports Cricbuzz.
The England captain announced on the fourth day of the series-deciding Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge that Monday would mark the end of his international career, bringing the curtain down on a 15-year journey that has spanned 122 Tests, 114 ODIs and 43 T20Is. "It might sound quite selfish but this decision is genuinely the best thing for me right now," Stokes told Sky Sports in an interview at the end of the day's play.
"I hope it's the best thing for the team going forward but I also hope it's what will allow me to keep loving this game that has given me so much."
Stokes dismissed suggestions that his decision stemmed solely from the disciplinary issue that saw him left out of England's second Test against New Zealand following an incident at a London nightclub.
While maintaining that the decision had been building for some time, Stokes admitted the events of the past few weeks reinforced his thinking. Stokes revealed the decision itself crystallised while he was padding up to bat during England's first innings at Trent Bridge on Saturday. He informed Joe Root and vice-captain Harry Brook later that evening before telling the rest of the squad on Sunday morning.
"It's been an interesting four or five weeks, maybe six months in general," added Stokes. "There are all kinds of emotions when this day comes - relief, happiness, excitement, sadness. Everything that you go through. It's the best thing that I've ever been asked to do, captaining England. It is the greatest honour to have on your shoulders but there is also another side to it that people don't see, only those closest to you see it.
"My family, my wife, they see the bits where it does drain you and it does affect you negatively."
"I'm pretty happy and content with everything I've managed to do," he said. "I'm an Ashes winner, I've won a 50-over World Cup, a T20 World Cup. I've also had the opportunity to captain the team and play alongside some of the best players to have played the game. There's not too much I can complain about, really."
BBC adds, Ben Stokes' storied England career ended in a series defeat by New Zealand, who wrapped up the third and deciding Test on the final day in Nottingham.