England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, has expressed his willingness to accept a call-up to play for England’s white-ball teams under the leadership of new head coach Brendon McCullum. McCullum is set to take on the role of white-ball coach alongside his current position as the head coach of the Test team starting from January 2025. This transition will come just in time for England’s white-ball tour of India and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Stokes, who has had a successful career in white-ball cricket for England, stated that he would be happy to be part of the white-ball team’s plans moving forward. However, he also mentioned that he is content with his achievements in the format and would not be disappointed if he is not selected, as it would provide an opportunity for other talented players to shine. Stokes emphasized that if he receives the call to join the white-ball team, he would definitely accept it. He praised McCullum as a great coach and expressed his excitement about the prospect of having him lead both the white and red ball England teams.
The England white-ball squad is currently undergoing a regeneration phase after losing both of their world titles within a short period, which led to the departure of Matthew Mott. Stokes opted out of selection for the T20 World Cup to focus on the Test matches, resulting in England’s success in the summer series. Under McCullum’s leadership, England has achieved significant success, winning 22 out of 29 Tests played.
Stokes last featured in a white-ball game for the Northern Superchargers during The Hundred tournament, where he suffered a hamstring injury. This injury ruled him out of the Sri Lanka Test series and raised doubts about his availability for the upcoming Pakistan tour. Despite this setback, Stokes remains eager to contribute to the white-ball team under McCullum’s guidance.
Looking ahead, England is scheduled to tour Pakistan in 2024, with a series of Test matches lined up in October. Additionally, the England versus Australia series is set to take place, with all matches broadcast live on Sky Sports. This series will provide an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a spot in the national team across all formats. Stokes’ positive attitude and commitment to representing England in both Test and white-ball cricket reflect his dedication to the sport and desire to contribute to the team’s success under the new coaching setup.
