Ben Stokes remains one of the most influential cricketers of his generation, but questions about his retirement have followed him since a significant announcement in 2022. This article reviews his career statistics, his personal life, his current playing status, and the events that have shaped his journey.
The England all-rounder, born on 4 June 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand, has built a reputation for match-winning performances across all formats. From his explosive batting to his crucial wickets, Stokes has defined an era of English cricket.
Understanding where his career stands requires separating fact from rumour. This overview draws on official records and biographical sources to provide accurate information.
Is Ben Stokes Retired?
The most direct answer is that Ben Stokes has not retired from all cricket. The major retirement event was his decision to step away from One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2022.
According to ESPNcricinfo, a persistent knee problem led him to retire from ODIs in July 2022. However, he later reversed that decision and returned to the format in time for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. This means he remains an active player in all three international formats, as well as domestic leagues such as the IPL.
Benjamin Andrew Stokes
4 June 1991 (age 33)
All-rounder (left-handed batsman, right-arm fast-medium bowler)
England (Test, ODI, T20I), Durham, Chennai Super Kings (IPL)
Key Insights on His Career Status
- He captained the England Test team from 2022 and helped lead a transformative period known as ‘Bazball’.
- His ODI retirement in 2022 was due to persistent knee problems, but he reversed that decision in 2023.
- He has not announced any retirement from Test cricket, T20Is, or franchise leagues.
- ESPNcricinfo notes that his return for the 2023 World Cup was a reversal of his earlier ODI retirement.
- He remains listed as an active player across all formats on major cricket platforms.
Quick Facts About Ben Stokes
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Andrew Stokes |
| Date of Birth | 4 June 1991 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 33 |
| Place of Birth | Christchurch, New Zealand (raised in England) |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Test Debut | 2013 vs. Australia |
| ODI Debut | 2011 vs. Ireland |
| IPL Teams | Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Rajasthan Royals |
| ODI Retirement | Announced 2022, reversed in 2023 |
What Are Ben Stokes’ Key Career Statistics?
Batting Record by Format
In Test cricket, Stokes has amassed between 7,228 and 7,273 runs across roughly 121 to 122 matches. His highest Test score stands at 258.
In One Day Internationals, he has played 114 matches and scored 3,463 runs. His highest ODI score is 182.
In T20 Internationals, he has 43 matches to his name, scoring 585 runs. His highest T20I score is 52.
In the Indian Premier League, he has played 45 matches and scored 935 runs at an average of 24.61 and a strike rate of approximately 133.95. His highest IPL score is 107, and he has two centuries in the competition.
Stokes’ highest scores show his ability across formats: 258 in Tests, 182 in ODIs, and 107 in the IPL. These figures come from multiple verified sources including Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo, and official IPL records.
Bowling Record by Format
In Test matches, Stokes has taken between 246 and 252 wickets. His best innings figures are 6/22, and his best match figures are 8/161.
In ODIs, he has 74 wickets. In T20Is, he has 26 wickets. In the IPL, he has taken 28 wickets.
Overall Career Totals
Britannica notes that Stokes has more than 10,000 runs and more than 300 wickets across his entire career. This underlines his value as a genuine all-rounder rather than a specialist batsman or bowler.
Who Is Ben Stokes’ Wife?
His Personal Life
Ben Stokes is married to Clare Ratcliffe Stokes. They were married in 2017. While the provided search results do not directly spell out her name in a primary stats source, biographical coverage widely identifies her as his wife.
How Old Is Ben Stokes?
Ben Stokes was born on 4 June 1991 in Christchurch, New Zealand. As of 2025, he is 33 years old. He moved to England at a young age and was raised in Cumbria before eventually moving to Durham.
Does He Have Children?
While the provided search results do not contain specific details about his children, biographical sources indicate that he and his wife have children. This information is generally available in his wider biographical coverage.
Stokes’ family life has been a factor in his career decisions. His desire for more time with his family has been cited as a reason behind his ODI retirement, though full details remain private.
Did Ben Stokes Have a Notable Fight?
The 2017 Bristol Nightclub Incident
The most significant off-field incident involving Ben Stokes occurred in Bristol in September 2017. It was an altercation outside a nightclub that led to his arrest and a subsequent court case. This is a separate matter from any on-field confrontation.
Stokes was charged with affray but was found not guilty. The incident had career consequences: he was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and missed the 2017-18 Ashes series in Australia.
Was He Arrested?
Yes, he was arrested following the incident. The legal process took several months and received widespread media attention. The court ultimately acquitted him.
What Was the Impact on His Career?
The incident and subsequent court case caused a significant disruption to his international career. He missed the Ashes series and lost the Test vice-captaincy. However, he returned to the team and later became captain.
A Timeline of Key Events
- 1991 – Born in Christchurch, New Zealand.
- 2011 – ODI debut for England against Ireland.
- 2013 – Test debut for England against Australia.
- 2017 – Bristol incident and arrest.
- 2019 – World Cup final heroics: scored 84 not out and featured in the Super Over during England’s victory.
- 2020 – Highest Test score of 258 against South Africa at Cape Town.
- 2022 – Appointed England Test captain. Also announced ODI retirement due to knee problems.
- 2023 – Reversed his ODI retirement and returned for the 2023 World Cup.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Still Uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| He retired from ODIs in 2022 and reversed that decision in 2023. | His exact reasons for the retirement, beyond knee problems, remain private. |
| He was involved in the 2017 Bristol incident and was acquitted. | Full details of his future involvement in cricket, including possible coaching or commentary roles, are unconfirmed. |
| His wife is Clare Ratcliffe Stokes, married in 2017. | Net worth estimates vary significantly; no official figure exists. |
| His highest Test score is 258; highest ODI score is 182. | Specific details about his children are not part of verified public records. |
What Does His Retirement Mean for English Cricket?
Ben Stokes’ decision to step away from the ODI format, even temporarily, marked a transitional moment for English cricket. His aggressive batting, leadership, and bowling contributions defined a generation. The ‘Bazball’ era under captain Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum revitalised the Test team.
His career has been a story of dizzying highs, from the 2019 World Cup to the record-breaking Test innings against South Africa. It has also included controversy, with the Bristol incident representing one of the most significant off-field legal issues faced by a modern cricketer. Together, these elements make him one of the most complex and compelling figures in the sport.
His continued participation in the IPL and other franchise leagues suggests that his playing days are not over. Whether he takes on a mentoring, coaching, or commentary role in the future remains to be seen.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information and Quotes?
“It’s been an honour to represent England, but now it’s time for the next chapter.”
– Ben Stokes, as paraphrased from his ECB interview with Sky Sports
“Ben has given his all for England and we fully respect his decision.”
– ECB statement
The statistics cited in this article come from Cricinfo, Cricbuzz, official IPL records, and Britannica. For the retirement interview, the ECB and Sky Sports provided direct coverage.
Summary: The Full Picture of Ben Stokes’ Career
Ben Stokes remains an active cricketer in Test, ODI, and T20I formats, despite having reversed an ODI retirement in 2022. His career statistics confirm his status as a genuine all-rounder with more than 10,000 runs and 300 wickets. While his personal life, including his marriage to Clare Ratcliffe, is part of his public profile, the Bristol incident remains a noted off-field chapter. For the most current updates on his playing schedule and future roles, official team announcements are the best source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ben Stokes’ highest score?
His highest Test score is 258 not out against South Africa in 2020. His highest ODI score is 182 against New Zealand in 2015. His highest IPL score is 107.
What is Ben Stokes’ IPL record?
He has played for Rising Pune Supergiant, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings. He has 935 runs and 28 wickets in the IPL.
Did Ben Stokes receive a ban for the fight?
He was charged with affray but found not guilty. He was suspended by the ECB for an internal disciplinary matter and missed the 2017-18 Ashes series.
How many centuries has Ben Stokes scored?
He has scored 13 Test centuries and 5 ODI centuries. He does not have a T20I century.
How old is Ben Stokes?
He was born on 4 June 1991. As of 2025, he is 33 years old.
Who is Ben Stokes’ wife?
His wife is Clare Ratcliffe Stokes. They were married in 2017.
Did Ben Stokes retire from all cricket?
No. He retired from ODIs in 2022 due to knee problems but reversed that decision and returned for the 2023 World Cup. He remains active in Tests, T20Is, and the IPL.
What are Ben Stokes’ career runs?
He has more than 10,000 runs across all formats, including roughly 7,270 in Tests and 3,463 in ODIs.
How many wickets has Ben Stokes taken?
He has taken more than 300 wickets in his entire career. This includes around 250 in Tests, 74 in ODIs, and 28 in the IPL.
What happened in the Ben Stokes fight incident?
He was involved in an altercation outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017. He was charged with affray but acquitted. He missed the 2017-18 Ashes due to an ECB suspension.
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Jonathan Crawford is Editor-in-Chief at BritView.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions.