ICC Slaps ECB for Leaking Ben Stokes Retirement Video
The International Cricket Council has reprimanded the England and Wales Cricket Board over the timing of a video showing Ben Stokes announcing his retirement.
The International Cricket Council has sent a formal letter to the England and Wales Cricket Board regarding a video of Ben Stokes' retirement that was shared during the third Test against New Zealand. The video, in which Stokes tells his teammates he is retiring from international cricket, was recorded before play on June 28 but released during the tea interval that day.
The ICC argues that the ECB's decision to broadcast the footage at that time violated Article 2.2.11 of the Players and Match Officials' Areas code. This rule prohibits placing recording equipment in dressing rooms for live or near-live broadcast purposes. The governing body believes the video should have been held until after the match concluded on June 29.
The ECB has yet to respond publicly to the allegations. Stokes' retirement came as a surprise to many, especially as it was announced mid-match. He had captained England since 2022 and led the team through a transformative period.