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In characteristic fashion, Stokes was in the middle of a tireless spell on Sunday, attempting to haul his team back into the third Test, when the news broke.
Stokes had just completed his 10th successive over in the period after lunch and was fielding at mid-off when the news filtered around Trent Bridge.
In an electric atmosphere, with supporters on their feet, Stokes was roared to the crease. Foulkes' edge was held at second slip by vice-captain Harry Brook, Stokes' likely successor.
Stokes' status as one of the best all-rounders to play Test cricket are underlined by a career haul of 7,243 runs and 251 wickets. Legendary figures Sir Garfield Sobers of West Indies and South Africa's Jacques Kallis are the only two men to have achieved such a double. Stokes' 136 sixes in Test cricket is also a record.
Beyond the individual achievements, Stokes will be remembered for his style of captaincy - the 'Bazball' revolution brought about when he assumed control of the Test side with head coach Brendon McCullum in 2022.
Revitalising a team that had won only one of its previous 17 Test, Stokes and McCullum encouraged attacking, fearless cricket and enjoyed immediate success. England won 10 of their first 11 Tests in charge.
Although Stokes won almost 56% of his Tests as captain - the best success rate for an England skipper in 45 years - his methods were found wanting against the biggest opponents.
England had to fight from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Australia in the home Ashes of 2023. The following winter, England were beaten 4-1 in India.
Following the trip to India, Stokes and McCullum built a new England team - including pushing record wicket-taker James Anderson into retirement - with the aim of defeating India at home in 2025, then regaining the Ashes in Australia.
But England could only draw 2-2 with India, then were beaten 4-1 in Australia on a tour dogged by accusations of a drinking culture.
The drinking resulted in a midnight curfew being imposed, a curfew which Stokes then broke in his first match back following the Ashes.
Ultimately, the manner in which Stokes' career has come to a stunning end follows a number of other high-profile off-field incidents.
In 2017, Stokes was involved in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub that resulted in him being charged with affray. He was cleared the following summer, but missed the 2017-18 Ashes tour as a result.
In 2021, Stokes took a break from cricket to prioritise his mental well-being. In a documentary released the following year, Stokes detailed the toll taken by the Bristol incident and the death of his father, Ged.
Stokes' career was also blighted by a number of severe injuries, not least a left-knee problem that hampered his bowling in 2023 and 2024.
This summer, Stokes returned from a broken cheek suffered when struck by a ball while coaching the Durham academy.
