India, June 29 -- England coach Brendon McCullum on Monday revealed that he tried his best to talk Ben Stokes out of retirement, but the Test captain had already made up his mind and wasn't willing to change his decision. The premier all-rounder announced his international retirement on Sunday, midway through Day 4 of the Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand. Hours after making the decision public, Stokes came out to open the batting in his final innings, scoring 30 runs off 20 balls.

However, Stokes' international career came to a sad end on Monday as England went down to New Zealand in the series decider, losing the three-match series 2-1. The 35-year-old had missed the second Test after he was dropped from the squad. Stokes was left ...