Ex-captain Stokes would love to coach England in future
Former England cricket captain Ben Stokes has expressed his ambition to coach the national team one day, while voicing surprise over leadership decisions.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Former England captain Ben Stokes has stated he would love to coach the national team in the future.
- Stokes expressed surprise that Harry Brook did not succeed him and voiced concern over Joe Root's appointment.
- The 35-year-old firmly rejected any possibility of reversing his international retirement for the 2027 Ashes.
- Joe Root has been appointed permanent Test captain, working alongside new head coach Stephen Fleming.
Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that he would love to transition into a coaching role and lead the national team in the future. The 35-year-old all-rounder, speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, made his intentions clear following his shock retirement from international cricket back in June during the final Test of the series against New Zealand. That departure came just weeks after he missed the second Test against the Kiwis following an incident at a London nightclub.
Stokes, who represented England in 122 Tests, 114 one-day internationals, and 43 T20s, explained that staying involved in the sport through a leadership position off the field is an idea that appeals greatly to him. He stated that he knows what he wants to do in terms of staying within the game and would absolutely love to coach England one day.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The ambition of high-profile former players to move directly into coaching staff positions highlights a broader trend in professional cricket. Transitioning from a talismanic leader on the pitch to managing the very teammates they once shared dressing rooms with requires a delicate balance of authority and peer respect, making Stokes' future coaching aspirations a compelling storyline for English cricket.
During the podcast, Stokes also addressed the ongoing leadership changes within the squad, admitting he was surprised that fellow batter Harry Brook did not succeed him as Test captain, while also expressing concern regarding the return of Joe Root to the role. Brook had been promoted to vice-captain during last winter's Ashes tour in Australia, though he later encountered an off-field controversy in Wellington in November.
"I understood the reasoning but I was still like, well, what message is that sending to him?"
Ben Stokes
England ultimately appointed Joe Root as permanent Test captain for his second stint in charge, succeeding Brendon McCullum's Test coaching tenure. Root, who previously captained England to a record 27 Test wins in 65 matches between 2017 and 2022, will now work alongside new Test coach Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain. Meanwhile, when questioned by former teammate Jos Buttler about whether he might reverse his decision for the 2027 Ashes, Stokes shut down the rumors with a definitive "Definitely".
Source: BBC Sport
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