England Test captain Ben Stokes has suggested he may be open to a return to the national white-ball teams under the leadership of coach Brendon McCullum. While no formal discussions have taken place, Ben Stokes has indicated that he would likely accept if McCullum approached him about the possibility. Despite his focus on the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, Ben Stokes’ potential re-entry into the limited-overs format has generated excitement, especially given his past success in white-ball cricket.
Ben Stokes, now 33, has been a key figure in England’s limited-overs success, playing crucial roles in both the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s and the 2022 T20 World Cup final in Melbourne. However, he has not played white-ball international cricket since England’s early exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. The England selection committee, led by Luke Wright, recently confirmed that Ben Stokes and fellow veteran Joe Root remain in consideration for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
Ben Stokes had previously retired from ODI cricket in 2022, citing the demanding international schedule and concerns over burnout. His decision to step away from the white-ball format was further compounded by a knee surgery that also led to his withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. However, his strong working relationship with McCullum—developed during their time together in the Test setup—has opened the door for a potential white-ball return.
Speaking during the third ODI at Chester-le-Street, Ben Stokes expressed admiration for McCullum’s coaching philosophy. “It’s an amazing opportunity for the white-ball team to experience what Baz [McCullum] has brought to the Test team,” Ben Stokes said, praising McCullum’s commitment and his ability to unify the approach across all formats. He added that having a consistent message across England’s Test and white-ball teams would be beneficial.
While Ben Stokes is open to the possibility, he emphasized that he is not actively pursuing a white-ball return. “I’ve played a lot of white-ball cricket for England, and I’m happy with what I’ve achieved,” he said. “We’ve not spoken about anything like that yet. I think [McCullum] is letting me focus on the Test team for now.”
For the moment, Ben Stokes’ primary focus remains on leading England’s Test side, especially with a challenging tour of Pakistan on the horizon. Last December, England made history with a 3-0 Test series sweep in Pakistan, and Ben Stokes will be looking to replicate that success when the teams meet again later this year.
