Ben Stokes: 'ECB's unbelievable move'

Ben Stokes has praised the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) decision to appoint Brendon McCullum as the new coach for the limited-overs teams, describing it as an "unbelievable move." Stokes emphasised that McCullum’s experience and influence could greatly benefit the new generation of players in the white-ball format as they transition into the setup.

McCullum, who has been the head coach for England's Test team since May 2022, will take on the dual role starting in 2025 under a three-year contract that lasts until the end of 2027. Since taking charge of the Test side, he has fostered a positive cultural change, leading the team to 19 victories in 28 matches with notable successes, including six series wins.

In contrast, the white-ball team has faced difficulties following the retirement of key players from the 2019 and 2022 World Cup-winning squads. Following disappointing performances in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Matthew Mott stepped down from his position, leading to McCullum's new appointment.

Stokes expressed his confidence that McCullum's approach, which emphasises an enjoyable and liberated style of play, will resonate well with the current players. He believes this philosophy could reignite the team's spirit and performance as new talent emerges. Additionally, Stokes mentioned that limited-overs captain Jos Buttler stands to gain significantly from McCullum's mentorship.

On a personal note, Stokes is currently recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the Hundred competition. While he aims to be fit for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, he is adopting a cautious approach to his rehabilitation to avoid any setbacks. He acknowledged that the nature of hamstring injuries is complex and requires patience, underscoring the importance of being careful during recovery.

Overall, Stokes remains optimistic about both the future of the England cricket teams under McCullum and his own prospects for returning to play.