London

England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, has expressed his willingness to return to white-ball cricket under the new coach, Brendon McCullum, who has been a trusted figure for him in the Test format. Stokes played vital roles in England’s World Cup victories in 2019 and 2022 but stepped back from ODI cricket last year due to burnout and the pressures of international commitments. However, he made a comeback in ODIs ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in India, scoring 539 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 59.88.

Although he performed well during the World Cup, his team’s overall performance was disappointing, leading to concerns about direct qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Stokes has not participated in white-ball games since the World Cup, opting to focus on his fitness after struggling with knee issues.

As he prepares for a series of Tests against Pakistan starting on October 7, Stokes mentioned that he hasn’t discussed a white-ball return with McCullum yet. Still, he is enthusiastic about the possibility. He praised McCullum’s coaching style and emphasized the importance of a consistent message across all formats. Stokes is optimistic about being fit for the upcoming Pakistan series, having recently completed successful rehabilitation for a hamstring injury. He acknowledged the need to adapt to the conditions in Pakistan and remains open-minded about what to expect during the series.