Despite the sting of a series defeat in Australia, England captain Ben Stokes has thrown his full support behind head coach Brendon McCullum. Stokes dismissed any notion of a coaching change, stating he simply cannot imagine 'someone else' stepping into the role. This vote of confidence comes at a critical juncture for the duo, whose partnership began in 2022 and was widely expected to face its ultimate test during this high-stakes Ashes tour.
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Ben Stokes wants Brendon McCullum to stay On as England head coach
The campaign has been a difficult one for the Bazball era, as England surrendered the series early with consecutive losses in the first three Tests. However, there was a glimmer of hope in the fourth Test at Melbourne, where England secured their first victory on Australian soil in nearly 15 years. The team now prepares for the fifth and final Ashes Test at the SCG, looking to build on that momentum and finish the tour with a measure of pride.
Both Stokes and McCullum are currently under contract until 2027 and have expressed a clear desire to continue their work beyond this series. While Stokes’ position as leader seems secure heading into the English summer, the same may not be true for the backroom staff. Despite the captain's loyalty, the future of McCullum and Director of Cricket Rob Key may still face intense scrutiny from the board as the dust settles on the series loss.
"There is no doubt in my mind that me and Brendon are the right people to carry on doing this for the near future," Stokes said, as quoted by BBC.
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'I can't see someone else who could take this team from where we are now to even bigger heights'
When questioned about whether his leadership is inextricably linked with that of the New Zealander, Stokes affirmed their status as a unified partnership. He expressed total conviction in McCullum’s vision, asserting that he cannot envision any other person capable of elevating the current squad to even greater heights.
"I can't see there being someone else who could take this team from where we are now to even bigger heights," he added.
This most recent series loss further cements England’s dismal historical record on Australian soil. Aside from the landmark 2010–11 victory, the national side has failed to secure a series win in Australia since 1986. The recurring inability to compete in these conditions remains a significant hurdle for the English game. Historically, a failed Ashes tour in the Southern Hemisphere serves as a catalyst for major upheaval within the England management hierarchy. Ironically, it was a lopsided 4–0 defeat just four years ago that led to the appointment of Stokes and McCullum in the first place, leaving fans wondering if the cycle of sweeping changes is destined to repeat itself.
"We have not won here since 2010-11 and since that series things have happened because we think people need to change things, but it has not really worked has it?. There's a lot of people who sit above me. Ashes tours in the past haven't gone well. But if you do what we did four years ago, we'll just end up back in the same situation," he added.