The England captain stunned the cricket world on Sunday by announcing that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the match, bringing the curtain down on a 15-year career and a four-year spell as Test skipper.
But while the emotional farewell dominated headlines, it was New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell who delivered the decisive performance, producing a defiant unbeaten century to propel the tourists into a commanding position.
Mitchell's gritty 100 not out from 241 balls, compiled despite taking several painful blows from England's pacemen, guided New Zealand to 288-9 declared in their second innings and set England a daunting target of 373.
At stumps, England had slumped to 103-4 after a breathless evening session, still requiring 270 runs for victory and a series triumph.
The day had already taken on extraordinary significance before tea when news of Stokes' retirement filtered around Trent Bridge. The 35-year-old had informed his teammates before play and received a standing ovation from a stunned crowd as he prepared to bowl the 11th over of a marathon spell.
In a moment that seemed scripted, Stokes immediately claimed the wicket of Zak Foulkes with his next delivery, sparking jubilant scenes among the home supporters.
As if determined to make one final statement, Stokes then promoted himself to opener for only the third time in his 122-Test career.
He launched England's chase in trademark fashion, smashing his sixth ball for six and adding another towering hit off Nathan Smith. The left-hander raced to 30 from just 20 deliveries, but his audacious cameo ended when he holed out to midwicket off Foulkes.
England's collapse quickly followed.
Jacob Bethell departed for a duck four balls later, Harry Brook's explosive 21 from nine balls ended in another Foulkes wicket, and Ben Duckett edged Ben Sears shortly before the close to leave the hosts reeling.
Earlier, New Zealand had built their advantage around Mitchell's resilience. The middle-order batter shared a crucial 129-run stand with Rachin Ravindra, who fell six runs short of a century after being trapped lbw by Shoaib Bashir.
Mitchell then shepherded the tail expertly, adding valuable runs with Ben Sears, who returned to the crease with a finger injury after previously retiring hurt, allowing his teammate to reach a sixth Test century and fourth against England.
England's bowlers had briefly threatened a comeback when Jofra Archer struck twice after lunch and Stokes bowled a tireless spell that returned figures of 11-1-16-2.
Yet Mitchell's resistance ultimately ensured New Zealand remained in control.
Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket and step down as England's Test captain at the end of the ongoing series decider against New Zealand, bringing a remarkable 15-year career to a close.
England surrendered control of the third Test at Trent Bridge as New Zealand ended day three in a commanding position, closing on 120-3 in their second innings to lead by 204 runs.
Ben Duckett scored a century as England made a strong reply with the bat after bowling New Zealand out for 438 on the second day of the third and deciding Test at Trent Bridge.
New Zealand took firm control of the series-deciding third Test against England after a superb opening day at Trent Bridge, finishing on 361/4 after choosing to bat first.
