ICC contacts ECB over Stokes retirement video

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after the governing body deemed the release of Ben Stokes' retirement announcement during the third Test against New Zealand to be in breach of its Player and Match officials' Area (PMOA) regulations.

Stokes' decision to retire from international cricket was made public on the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test, even as the match was still in progress. Before the start of play that morning, the former England captain informed his teammates of his decision in the dressing room, with that address filmed by ECB's media team. The footage, complete with audio, was released to broadcasters and on social media shortly before the Tea interval while play was underway.

The ICC has since informed the ECB that publishing the footage before the conclusion of the Test contravened its PMOA minimum standards, which prohibit the recording and broadcast of audio and video from team dressing rooms during an ongoing international fixture. The regulations, introduced as part of the ICC's anti-corruption framework, specifically state that no fixed or temporary recording equipment should be used inside dressing rooms for broadcast purposes.

In its correspondence, sent on Saturday, the ICC reiterated that any material captured within the PMOA must neither include audio nor be released before the end of a match. The governing body has not publicly commented on the matter, and the ECB is yet to issue a response.

Explaining the timing of the announcement after the fourth day's play, Stokes said the rollout had been coordinated between his representatives and the ECB. "I just said, 'You guys work with Michael Lumb and Neil Fairbrother, who work with me, and you guys just come up with a plan'," said the all-rounder.

In a moment that added to the drama, Stokes was bowling when news of his retirement broke publicly and dismissed Zak Foulkes with the very next ball he delivered. His international career eventually came to an end on the fifth and final day of the Test.

Reacting to the news of ICC's move, Stokes posted a sarcastic Tweet on Thursday (July 9), writing simply: "Sack him."

Stokes' retirement has also accelerated England's search for a new Test captain ahead of next month's three-Test series against Pakistan. Vice-captain Harry Brook has already said it would be an "honour" to take over, although the ECB is understood to be taking its time before confirming an appointment.

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