ECB to face no action over Stokes retirement video
England will face no action from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Ben Stokes' retirement video.
The ICC wrote to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) about the video in which former England captain Stokes told team-mates of his decision to retire after the third Test against New Zealand.
The footage was filmed in the England dressing room prior to the fourth day at Trent Bridge, then shared with broadcasters and on social media during play later that day.
In publishing the footage and audio before the conclusion of the third Test, the ECB risked contravening standards for the players' and match officials' areas (PMOA) at international matches. PMOA rules are designed to support anti-corruption protocols.
Responding to reports of the ICC's letter, Stokes jokingly wrote on social media: "Sack him."
The ICC wrote to the ECB on 4 July. It is understood the ECB has since replied and the matter has been concluded amicably.
Neither the ICC nor ECB have commented.
In its original letter to the ECB, the ICC suggested article 2.2.11 of the PMOA minimum standards had been breached.
It states national cricket federations should: "Ensure that there are no fixed or temporary video cameras or other recording equipment set up within any dressing room used by the teams for the purposes of broadcasting video or audio footage."
The ICC also said the ECB had previously been informed any footage shot in the PMOA must not carry audio or be released before the conclusion of a match.
Speaking at the close of the fourth day, Stokes explained why the public announcement was made during play, detailing it was a plan between his agents and the ECB.
"I just said, 'You guys work with Michael Lumb and Neil Fairbrother, who work with me, and you guys just come up with a plan'," said the all-rounder.
Stokes was in the middle of a bowling spell when the announcement was made at 15:25 BST and, with his first delivery after news of his retirement spread, took the wicket of New Zealand's Zak Foulkes.
The Test, and Stokes' international career, did not end until the following day.
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