'Huge distraction': Strauss questions timing of Ben Stokes' retirement

Ben Stokes (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former England captain Andrew Strauss has questioned the timing of Ben Stokes' retirement announcement, saying it became a "huge distraction" for England during the decisive Test against New Zealand.Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket during the final Test at Trent Bridge, informing his teammates on the morning of Day 4. The news was made public later in the afternoon while he was bowling. As soon as the announcement was made, the England captain received a standing ovation from the crowd and responded by taking a wicket with the very next ball.

However, Strauss felt the announcement should have been made either before or after the match.

'A more sensible approach'

While praising Stokes for everything he has achieved, Strauss said the focus during a Test match should remain on the team."Everyone has the right to bow out on their own terms, and no-one has earned that more than Ben, but announcing before or after the game seems like a more sensible approach. When you are in the middle of a match, the only thing that matters is the performance of the team," Strauss said on Fox Sports.With the three-match series level at 1-1, England were fighting to avoid a series defeat against New Zealand when the announcement was made.

Strauss admitted he was unhappy with how everything unfolded."It seems like a huge distraction to a team that was battling to avoid a series defeat, and the cricket in the last session very much had an 'end of term' feel to it."

One of Test cricket's greatest all-rounders

Stokes retires after an outstanding international career across all three formats.In 122 Tests, he scored 7,273 runs at an average of 34.46, including 14 centuries, while also taking 252 wickets at an average of 30.98, with six five-wicket hauls.In 114 ODIs, he made 3,463 runs at an average of 41.22, scoring five hundreds and claiming 74 wickets.He also represented England in 43 T20Is, scoring 585 runs and taking 26 wickets.

Elite company with Jacques Kallis

Stokes leaves the game with several remarkable records.He is only the second cricketer in Test history to achieve the rare double of more than 7,000 runs and 250 wickets. The only other player to reach the milestone is South African legend Jacques Kallis, who finished with 13,289 runs and 292 wickets.

Dominated India, Australia and West Indies

Stokes also enjoyed tremendous success against some of the world's strongest teams.Against India, he scored 1,920 Test runs and picked up 59 wickets.Against Australia, he amassed 1,746 runs and claimed 56 wickets.He also recorded 1,339 runs and 43 wickets against the West Indies.Only three other legendary all-rounders — Gary Sobers, Kapil Dev and Jacques Kallis — have managed the feat of scoring 1,000 runs and taking 40 wickets against three different opponents.

King of Test sixes

Stokes also rewrote the record books with his aggressive batting.His 138 sixes are the most by any batter in Test cricket, making him one of only three players to hit 100 or more sixes in the format.Of those 138 maximums, 39 came against Australia, the highest number of Test sixes hit by any player against a single opposition.Despite the debate over the timing of his retirement announcement, Stokes walks away as one of England's greatest all-rounders and one of the finest match-winners the game has produced.