The Albany Gazette - Stokes announces shock England exit as Mitchell bats New Zealand into commanding lead

Stokes confirmed he would end his celebrated England career after the ongoing third and final Test against New Zealand in Nottingham, adding more drama to a three-match series locked at 1-1.

But Mitchell's 100 not out took New Zealand to 288-9 declared in their second innings and left England needing an imposing 373 to win on a wearing pitch of increasingly uneven bounce.

Stokes's announcement was made public shortly before tea on the fourth day with the 35-year-old, one of the outstanding all-rounders of his generation, having informed his team-mates in the dressing room before the start of Sunday's play.

He was in the middle of a lengthy bowling spell, with news filtering into a stunned crowd as he was about to start his 11th over.

Stokes then received a standing ovation from spectators at Trent Bridge.

And in a moment of pure sporting theatre, Stokes had Zak Foulkes caught at slip with his next ball to spark yet more raucous cheers.

Sunday's shock announcement came after Stokes returned to England duty at Trent Bridge following the fall-out from a London nightclub incident also involving teammate Gus Atkinson earlier this month.

Stokes was back after being omitted from England's 253-run defeat in the second Test at the Oval for breaking a midnight curfew, alongside Atkinson, while celebrating at a London nightclub following the first-Test win over New Zealand.

"There's something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England," said Stokes in a clip of his dressing-room speech released by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

- Tough task -

But for all his latest on-field heroics, with Stokes receiving applause when he led the team off at tea and a guard of honour after the resumption, England still had a tough task to avoid a seventh defeat in nine Tests.

Mitchell batted for more than six-and-a-half hours, facing 241 balls including 10 fours, as well as a six off Josh Tongue.

He also shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 129 with Rachin Ravindra, who fell agonisingly short of a century before being dismissed for 94.

Mitchell also received good support from tailender Ben Sears.

Having retired hurt, Sears returned at the fall of the ninth wicket when Mitchell as on 92 to ensure his team-mate could complete his sixth century in 39 Tests.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer, who had reduced New Zealand to 12-2 on Saturday, took two more wickets to finish with fine innings figures of 4-53 in 20 overs.

New Zealand, however, were still well-placed for what would be just their fourth series win in England in 20 attempts.

Mitchell, 47 not out overnight, showed plenty of resilience after struck several painful blows by both Stokes and express quick Archer.

Stokes, who finished with 2-50 in 22 overs, had previously dragged England back into the match with the ball.

Stokes ended a first-innings opening stand of 317 between New Zealand captain Tom Latham (151) and Devon Conway (157) during a return of 4-70, with the Black Caps dismissed for 438 when a total in excess of 500 once seemed likely.

New Zealand were on the brink of batting through Sunday's morning session without losing a wicket until off-spinner Shoaib Bashir had Ravindra lbw.

(L.Thomas--TAG)