Ben Stokes has expressed his willingness to return to England’s white-ball setup if head coach Brendon McCullum asks him to, though he clarified that no such discussions have occurred yet. Stokes, who has been focusing on regaining fitness ahead of England’s Test tour to Pakistan, said he is open to a comeback if it benefits the team.
Stokes, 33, has not played a white-ball match since England’s ODI World Cup campaign in India last year. His match-winning contributions in both the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s and the 2022 T20 World Cup final in Melbourne remain iconic. While he had retired from ODI cricket in 2022, citing workload concerns, England’s selector Luke Wright recently hinted that both Stokes and Joe Root are still in consideration for the upcoming Champions Trophy in February.
Stokes’ bond with McCullum has grown since they began working together in the Test format, and he praised McCullum’s coaching style. “It’s an amazing opportunity for the white-ball team to experience what Baz has brought to the Test team,” Stokes said. “If I get the call, it’s definitely going to be a yes.”
However, Stokes made it clear that he is happy with his white-ball career achievements and is content to focus on his current role as Test captain. England’s next challenge is a three-Test tour of Pakistan, starting in Multan on October 7. Stokes, recovering from a hamstring injury, remains optimistic about his fitness and plans to be cautious with his bowling responsibilities.
Stokes admitted that while England’s 2022 series win in Pakistan provides valuable experience, there are still unknowns about the conditions they will face this time around.