Resolution criteria

This market will resolve to the specific month and year in which Ben Stokes officially steps down as England's Test cricket captain. The resolution will be based on official announcements from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) or reputable news outlets. If Stokes remains in his position beyond all listed options, the market will resolve as 'Other'.

Background

Ben Stokes was appointed as England's Test captain in April 2022, succeeding Joe Root. (espncricinfo.com) Since taking on the role, Stokes has been instrumental in implementing an aggressive and entertaining style of play, often referred to as "Bazball," in collaboration with coach Brendon McCullum. (en.wikipedia.org)

In March 2025, following Jos Buttler's resignation as England's white-ball captain, discussions emerged about Stokes potentially expanding his leadership to include the ODI and T20 teams. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) However, as of July 2025, no official changes have been announced regarding his captaincy roles.

Considerations

Stokes has previously expressed concerns about the demands of captaincy. In 2019, he described the role as a "huge burden" and indicated no strong desire to assume it. (thestatesman.com) Additionally, in July 2022, he retired from ODI cricket, citing an "unsustainable" schedule. (abc.net.au) These factors may influence his tenure as Test captain.