The International Cricket Council has decided not to take action over the video of Ben Stokes announcing his international retirement inside the England dressing room. The footage, which captured Stokes’ farewell to team-mates during the fourth day of the third Test against New Zealand, was posted on England’s social channels and later shown on television.
The ICC had, according to reports, contacted the England and Wales Cricket Board about the clip because dressing rooms are part of a protected players and match officials area (PMOA) governed by the ICC’s anti-corruption minimum standards. Those standards restrict filming inside dressing rooms without prior approval; national federations must ensure no fixed or temporary cameras are set up in dressing rooms for broadcasting unless an exception is agreed in advance with the nominated anti-corruption manager.
Guidance accompanying the rules suggests any approved footage should exclude audio and be limited in length, typically to no more than two minutes. After its initial inquiry, the ICC has now closed the matter with no further action.
Stokes had returned for the third Test after missing the second match of the series following an off-field incident. His retirement announcement on day four was unexpected: he made the statement while bowling and then took a wicket with the very next delivery. England went on to lose the match and ultimately the series 2-1.
Responding to early reports that the ICC was looking into the video, Stokes posted on X: “Sack him …” The episode has prompted discussion about the application of broadcasting rules in team areas and the need for any exceptions to be formally cleared to remain compliant with anti-corruption requirements.