The International Cricket Council has questioned the England and Wales Cricket Board over the release of Ben Stokes‘s dressing room retirement video during the third Test against **New Zealand national cricket team>, according to reports.
The ICC wrote to the ECB on July 4, expressing concerns that the publication of the footage may have breached the governing body’s Players’ and Match Officials’ Areas (PMOA) regulations, which are designed to protect the integrity of international cricket and support anti-corruption measures.
ICC Raises Concerns Over Dressing Room Footage
The video, filmed inside England’s dressing room before play on the fourth day at Trent Bridge, showed Stokes informing his teammates of his decision to retire after the third Test.
The footage was later shared with television broadcasters and published across social media platforms while the match was still in progress.
According to the ICC, releasing dressing room audio and video before the conclusion of an international match could conflict with established PMOA standards.
Anti-Corruption Rules Under Review
In its letter, the ICC referred to Article 2.2.11 of the PMOA minimum standards, which states that national cricket boards must ensure there are no fixed or temporary cameras or recording equipment inside team dressing rooms for broadcasting audio or video content.
The governing body also reminded the ECB that it had previously been advised that any footage recorded inside PMOA-controlled areas should not include audio or be made public before the end of a match.
The regulations are intended to safeguard sensitive team environments and strengthen international cricket’s anti-corruption framework.
ECB Responds to ICC
It is understood the ECB has since replied to the ICC’s concerns, with reports indicating the matter has now been resolved amicably.
Neither the ICC nor the ECB has issued an official public statement regarding the correspondence.
Ben Stokes Reacts
Responding to media reports about the ICC’s letter, Stokes joked on social media by posting:
“Sack him.”
Following the fourth day’s play, the England all-rounder explained that the timing of the retirement announcement had been agreed between his management team 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,'” Stokes told reporters.
The incident has reignited discussion around media access inside dressing rooms and the balance between exclusive behind-the-scenes content and maintaining cricket’s integrity and anti-corruption safeguards.
