“Everything takes its toll”. Ben Stokes opens up on ‘negative effects’ of England leadership after retirement call | Cricket News:

Ben Stokes says he has no second thoughts about retiring from international cricket, insisting he is “very happy” with his decision despite ending his England career with a Test series defeat to New Zealand.The England captain announced on Sunday, midway through the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, that he would retire from international cricket after the game, bringing the curtain down on a 15-year career.His last appearance in an England shirt ended on Monday when New Zealand completed a 160-run victory to win the three-match series 2-1. Stokes spent the closing stages of the match watching from the balcony outside England’s dressing room.A day after his announcement, Stokes was asked by the BBC if he would be comfortable watching England’s home Ashes series against Australia next year from his sofa.“I’m incredibly satisfied with everything right now,” Stokes said. “It’s a decision you don’t take lightly. It took a lot of time. I’ve talked to a lot of people who are close to me.“I’m done, friend, and I’m very happy.”Stokes’ retirement comes after a difficult few weeks. He led England to victory in the opening Test at Lord’s before being involved in an incident one night in London with team-mate Gus Atkinson. The two players were in a nightclub when a member of England’s security staff was reportedly beaten by a rugby player from the English club Saracens.England left Stokes out of the second Test after saying he breached contractual obligations. He returned to captain the side in the third Test after investigations into the incident were concluded.Looking back on the events, Stokes described the period as “miserable” and “interesting”. He also admitted that the episode may have played a part in his decision to retire, although he suggested it wasn’t the only factor.“But there’s an overriding fact that in the last 6-12 months I think everything I’ve done over a long period of time has taken a toll,” Stokes said.“Being in this role as captain – as good as it is, as exciting as it is, what an honor it is – there are some negative side effects to doing it. I think that’s the unfortunate side that people don’t always see.”