ICC contacts ECB over Stokes retirement video

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) concerning a video that announced Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket. The video was released during the third day of the Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord's. According to standard procedures, any footage shot in the Players' and Match Officials' Area (PMOA) must not include audio and cannot be released before the end of the match. Stokes stated that the plan for the announcement was coordinated between his agents and the ECB. The ICC has adopted "minimum standards" for the PMOA to support its anti-corruption code. Neither the ICC nor the ECB have commented on the matter. The letter was sent the day before the Women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's, where ECB chair Richard Thompson met with ICC chair Jay Shah. The ECB has yet to respond. Stokes' retirement leaves England in search of a new Test captain for the upcoming series against Pakistan in August. Vice-captain Harry Brook expressed interest in the role, but the ECB is taking time to make a decision. The uncertainty is compounded by poor Test results and off-field controversies involving the England management. Head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key were backed after a review of the Ashes series loss. The ECB is currently reflecting on the men's team situation but may delay announcements until after the white-ball series against India. Neither Key nor chief executive Richard Gould have spoken publicly since Stokes' announcement.