England captain Ben Stokes has backed a turnaround ahead of the upcoming home international summer, insisting the team can quickly return to winning ways under head coach Brendon McCullum. Stokes, who will continue as England’s Test skipper alongside McCullum following a tough Ashes, said their long-running working relationship will be central to refocusing the side for what comes next.
Stokes’ confidence in the McCullum partnership
Despite a disappointing Ashes campaign that ended with a 4-1 defeat, Stokes expressed certainty that England can find form again. He highlighted that his alliance with McCullum is built on shared objectives and a mutual understanding of how to build a competitive environment.
In an interview shared by the ECB, Stokes said he feels strongly about their ability to collaborate and operate as a unit. He also pointed to the fact that, while they now work in a slightly different manner, the core alignment between the coach and captain remains the same: both are focused on turning the team into the best version of itself and consistently aiming to win.
How England’s approach has evolved since 2022
Stokes said he takes pride in the changes that have been made to England’s approach during the period since he began working alongside McCullum in 2022. He suggested that the new mindset has already produced results, and that the pair’s continuity is a major reason he could not see the plan being replicated with anyone else.
- Stokes credited the transformation of the team’s approach in the time since 2022 for delivering outcomes.
- He said the success achieved over the past four years made it hard to imagine pursuing similar goals with a different leadership combination.
- He framed the Ashes setback as a moment that reminded the programme to stay on track, while also valuing the backing to continue with McCullum.
Contracts through 2027 and targets ahead
Both Stokes and McCullum have agreements that run until 2027. With major tournaments approaching—next year’s Ashes and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup—Stokes stressed that their shared commitment to the job is long-term, and he expressed hope they will remain together through the end of their current contracts while chasing the trophies England want.
Stokes described both as men who take immense pride in their work, noting they put a great deal of heart and effort into the role. He added that McCullum has already put in four years and that Stokes expects the pair to still be in place by the end of 2027, aiming to secure the success they have targeted.
Next Test: England vs New Zealand at Lord’s
England’s next Test match will be against New Zealand, beginning on June 4 at Lord’s. The fixture is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, where England currently occupy seventh place with a point percentage of 31.67.
