Yesterday’s cricket had everything: Ben Stokes retires, Ireland stun India, WI world record, India women crash out of World Cup originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Yesterday’s cricket matches (June 28, 2026) had plenty of action and emotions, from overwhelming joy to heartbreak.
- England captain Ben Stokes announced his retirement from cricket during a Test match.
- Ireland stunned back-to-back world champions India again to clinch a historic T20I series.
- West Indies rewrote the Test record books while India women crashed out of the T20 World Cup at Lord’s.
June 28 reminded us why we love, hate and will always miss cricket
Every now and then, cricket produces a day where one headline simply isn’t enough. Sunday, June 28, 2026, was one of those rare occasions.
England’s Test captain Ben Stokes announced his shock retirement from international cricket during England’s third Test against New Zealand.
Ireland then pulled off one of the biggest feats in their cricketing history by defeating back-to-back world champions India to seal a famous 2-0 T20I series win.
In the Caribbean, West Indies rewrote the Test record books through Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase, before Australia women’s victory over India ended Harmanpreet Kaur’s side’s Women’s T20 World Cup campaign.
Morning to late in the day, there were plenty of emotions. As the old saying goes, one man’s joy is another man’s sorrow. As with all competitive sports, that was the case for different fans.
Here’s a quick look at the major events that happened during yesterday’s cricket matches.
Ben Stokes calls time on his England career
England were left stunned to the say the least after Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the third Test against New Zealand.
Stokes, who made his England debut in 2011, bows out with 122 Tests, 114 ODIs and 43 T20Is, leaving behind a legacy as one of England’s greatest all-rounders and captains.
In an emotional dressing-room speech released by the ECB, Stokes told his teammates: “There’s something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is that this is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England.”
“Reasons can wait why, but I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and I’ve got one more trip to do. And the only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone please do the same.”
“All the taps on the arse, all the emotion all that kind of stuff, please can we just wait for the end of this game because we’ve still got s***loads more work to do and I’ve got a s***load more work that I want to do,” he continued.
Watch the full video here:
One of England’s all-time greatest captains, Ben Stokes, has decided to retire from international cricket at the end of this Test match.
Ben, you have been the most inspirational captain, leader and legend this team could have ever hoped for.
We love you so much and wish you… pic.twitter.com/U5grq0F0kj
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026
The announcement came just weeks after Stokes returned from his suspension following the nightclub controversy that forced him to miss the second Test against New Zealand.
MORE:What really happened in Ben Stokes’ nightclub incident: Timeline of England captain’s controversy
As news of his retirement spread around Trent Bridge during the second session, the crowd rose to its feet to applaud their captain. Moments later, in quintessential “Ben Stokes fashion”, he struck with his very next over, dismissing Zakary Foulkes.
Ian Botham was famously asked “who writes your scripts” … the same could be said of Ben Stokes … the ball after news of his retirement was broken to the ground pic.twitter.com/KeAh9S4vtP
— Historic Cricket Pictures (@PictureSporting) June 28, 2026
MORE:Has Ireland ever won a T20I series? Ireland’s record against Full ICC member nations in T20Is listed
Ireland complete historic T20I series win over India
At the same time as the Stokes announcement, Ireland were on course to produce their biggest cricketing moment in their history.
Just two days after beating India for the first time in any format, Ireland defeated the reigning T20 world champions again, edging them by one run at Stormont to clinch a memorable 2-0 series victory.
Series debutants Jai Moondra and Matthew Holard starred with the ball as Ireland handed India their first bilateral T20I series defeat since 2023 and captain Shreyas Iyer his first series loss since taking charge.
West Indies rewrite Test history against Sri Lanka
Many hours before the Stokes’ retirement or Ireland’s dismantling of India in Belfast, history was also being written thousands of miles away in Antigua.
Amir Jangoo (233) and Roston Chase (194) stitched together a world-record 401-run partnership for the sixth wicket, the highest ever for that wicket in Test cricket.
West Indies declared on 626/9, registering their highest-ever Test total against Sri Lanka and putting themselves firmly in control of the match.
Australia knock India out as South Africa reach Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals
The day ended with more heartbreak for Indian cricket with some calling it their “black day”.
Australia chased down 171 thanks to a century partnership between Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner, eliminating Harmanpreet Kaur’s side from the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.
The victory also sent South Africa into the semi-finals alongside England, Australia and West Indies. Having earlier beaten Bangladesh to keep their hopes alive, the Proteas watched from Lord’s knowing only an Australian victory would keep their campaign alive.
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