Ben Stokes does a Shahid Afridi for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after England's Brendon McCullum move
Published - 25 Sep 2024, 10:54 AM | Updated - 25 Sep 2024, 11:01 AM
England all-rounder Ben Stokes opened up about returning to white-ball teams under Brendon McCullum, who was recently appointed as the all-format head coach.
Ben Stokes said that he is ready to make a comeback in white-ball formats if Brendon McCullum asks him to play for England.
Stokes played crucial roles in England's World Cup wins in 2019 and 2022. However, he hasn't played in a white-ball game for England since the World Cup 2023.
As the Champions Trophy approaches, England selector Luke Wright confirmed that both Stokes and Joe Root are still under consideration.
The England Test captain retired from ODI cricket in 2022, citing concerns over workload due to a busy international schedule.
However, he reversed that decision to play in the 2023 World Cup. Notably, Stokes withdrew from the T20 World Cup in June to focus on recovering from knee surgery.
It's An Amazing Opportunity - Ben Stokes
Speaking to Sky Sports during the third ODI between England and Australia in Durham, Ben Stokes praised Brendon McCullum's coaching style. Stokes added that the same coach for all three formats will benefit the team.
"It's an amazing opportunity for the white-ball team to experience what Baz has brought to the Test team. He's an incredible coach who speaks with utter commitment, and it's nice to have all three teams now with the same messaging and the same philosophies towards playing cricket," Stokes told Sky Sports.
The 33-year-old cricketer said that no discussions have happened yet on his return to England's white-ball team. However, Stokes said that he will accept if Brendon McCullum asks him to play for England's white-ball teams.
"If I get the call and [Baz] says, 'Do you want to come and play?' Then obviously, it's definitely going to be a yes, but I'm not going to be too disappointed if I don't, because I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it," he added.
I've Played A Lot Of White-Ball Cricket For England - Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes said that his current focus is on regaining fitness to lead England in the upcoming Test tour to Pakistan. Stokes added that he has played a lot of white-ball cricket for England and is very happy with his achievements.
"I've played a lot of white-ball cricket for England, and I'm very happy with what I've achieved in that form of the game. But to be honest, we've not even spoken about anything like that whatsoever. I think he's just letting me concentrate on what I need to concentrate on, especially around the Test team," Stokes further stated.
The England Test team is set to face Pakistan in a three-match Test series next month. Notably, England secured a remarkable 3-0 victory in their last Test tour of Pakistan in December 2022. Stokes is likely to be fit before the first Test after missing the Sri Lanka series due to a hamstring injury.
