Trouble For Jos Buttler; Ben Stokes Agrees To Play White-Ball Cricket Under McCullum
Brendon McCullum-(ICC)
Following disappointments in the 2023 World Cup and T20 World Cup 2024, England cricket underwent a massive change as their red-ball head coach, Brendon McCullum, replaced Matthew Mott to become their all-format head coach.
McCullum's stint as white-ball coach will begin next year, and the fans are hoping for a Test-like impact in a limited-overs format. McCullum made a drastic impact on red-ball cricket as he introduced an aggressive brand of cricket, now dubbed as 'Bazball', and the same is expected in fifty-over format and T20Is.
Ben Stokes Expresses Desire To Play White-Ball Cricket Under McCullum
Meanwhile, former England white-ball skipper Ben Stokes also shared his views on McCullum's appointment and revealed that he is ready to return to England's white-ball set-up if needed.
"It is an amazing opportunity for the white-ball team to experience what Baz has brought to the Test team. "He has been an incredible coach who speaks with utter commitment, and it is nice to have all three teams now with the same messaging and the same philosophies towards playing cricket. If I get the call and [Baz] says, 'do you want to come and play?' Then obviously, it is definitely going to be a yes, but I am not going to be too disappointed if I do not, because I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it," Stokes told Sky Sports.
Ben Stokes Yet To Play A ODI In 2024
Notably, McCullum retired from ODIs in 2022 but reversed his decision ahead of the 2023 World Cup to feature in the premier fifty-over event. However, he has been marred by injuries and has missed the T20 World Cup 2024 since then. It is worth noting that Stokes has not played a solitary white-ball game in 2024.
England will play ODIs against West Indies and India before Champions Trophy 2025, which Stokes would be eying to feature in. Stokes is currently nursing a hamstring injury he suffered during The Hundred 2024.