Ben Stokes insists England career ‘definitely’ over and outlines coaching goals
Ben Stokes insisted he has “definitely” played for England for the last time but outlined ambitions to return to the dressing room in a coaching capacity in the future.
Stokes ended his international career after a 2-1 Test series defeat by New Zealand in June, admitting then that four years as captain had exhausted him and that he did not have “any more fight left in me”.
He reversed his ODI retirement to play in the 2023 World Cup and managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key stated last week he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Stokes were to return, adding: “Anything’s possible with Ben.”
However, when quizzed on the For the Love of Cricket podcast by former team-mate Jos Buttler over whether he has definitely retired, Stokes emphatically answered “Definitely.”
The 35-year-old added: “I’m doing my level three coaching now while I’m still playing, because when the day comes that I’m not playing anymore, I’d love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done.
“I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach.
“And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely. I just really like the idea of being in some form of leadership away from playing.”
Stokes announced he would retire during the third Test against New Zealand, having been stood down for the previous contest over an incident at a London nightclub, for which he was later absolved of blame.
Joe Root led the Test team on that occasion at the Kia Oval and he has since been reappointed as Test captain, with fellow Yorkshireman Harry Brook – Stokes’ deputy in recent months – overlooked for a promotion.
Brook was given Stokes’ endorsement but the white-ball captain’s ill-fated night out in Wellington last winter, hours before leading England in an ODI, continues to cast a large shadow over him.
Stokes, though, remains surprised that Brook was passed over, saying: “If you think someone’s going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them it.
“Even when I missed that Test match, I was like, ‘Why is Brooky (not the captain?) – he’s vice-captain’. And I sort of got it. I understood the reasoning why they were saying it.
“But I was still like ‘what message is that sending to him?’ He’s vice captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he’s not captain. What? I had no leadership or captaincy experience when I took over.”
Root won a record 27 Tests during his first stint as captain between 2017 and 2022 but his reign, complicated by navigating Covid restrictions, ended on a low note with one win in 17 matches.
England’s all-time record run-scorer admitted when he stood down he had a “very unhealthy relationship” with the job, although he declared over the weekend he is relishing working under new head coach Stephen Fleming.
Stokes added: “I wish him nothing but success. I hope he goes on and achieves amazing things in his role as captain and I think he’s going to really enjoy it with Flem. He’s a great man.
“I’ve worked with Flem before but I told Joe, I said my only worry is just you. And that’s all I really care about now, just because I have seen what he went through and how much he put himself through for someone.
“He just always put the team first, like he always comes second. And that’s just my only concern with it is just obviously knowing what he went through last time he was in charge of the team.
“I don’t want to see that ever happen again because I care for Joe a lot, but I wish him all the success in the world. I’m sure he’s going to do great. So I’m looking forward to seeing what the team does going forward.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub