Ben Stokes Calls McCullum's White-Ball Appointment an 'Unbelievable Move'

Ben Stokes says the decision to name Brendon McCullum as England men’s new limited-overs coach is an incredible move. Stokes believes his influence will be particularly beneficial to the upcoming generation of players who are set to come through the white-ball set-up in the coming months. 

The ECB on Tuesday officially announced that McCullum will combine both roles from the beginning of 2025 as part of a fresh three-year deal that will extend his time in English cricket until the end of 2027. Since taking up the red-ball role in May 2022, McCullum with Stokes as the captain has overseen a change in culture and results. 

England has won 19 out of 28 Tests in that time with six series wins and just one defeat, away to India at the start of 2024.

With England's golden generation, which famously clinched the 2019 World Series and the 2022 World T20 League, now beginning to fade, their white-ball set-up has been put through the wringer. Matthew Mott, brought in alongside Brendon McCullum to oversee limited-overs cricket, stepped down in July after poor performances in the 2023 ODI World Series and the World T20  League earlier this summer.

Now leading the charge across all formats, McCullum's short-term goal is to usher in talent transition within England's 50-over and T20I sides with a similar effect as he did with the Test team. The dual role can also help sort out the future of Ben Stokes in limited-overs cricket after the player dropped out of the World T20 League but reportedly made himself available for the Champions Trophy in early 2025.

Fellow Red Bull athlete Stokes spoke at the event held at Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London. He greeted McCullum's arrival, something he feels can help especially limited-overs captain Jos Buttler. "I might have had a little say in it, too," Stokes grinned.

"I was astonished by the news," Stokes said. "More importantly, I think it's an unbelievable move to have one coach back across all three teams for English cricket. You look at what Baz has done with the Test side; it's been incredible.

Stokes is delighted, as indeed would any white-ball team, that the experience of working with McCullum will stand in good stead for the new faces coming into the squad. "Baz gives everyone the platform to enjoy themselves," he added. "He doesn't put extra pressure on anyone, which is refreshing."

Stokes, though, was less convinced about his fitness status ahead of the Test against Pakistan starting on October 7. Stokes has remained uncertain owing to his torn left hamstring while representing Northern Superchargers in the Hundred. He rehabilitates with the England squad as they have taken a 2-0 commanding lead in their series against Sri Lanka, while he is also a mentor to stand-in captain Ollie Pope.

While Stokes is pleased with his recovery progress, he remains cautious. "The recurrence rate of these injuries is 50%, which is quite high," he explained. "I’d rather take an extra two weeks than risk something worse. Rehab can be incredibly boring, but it’s essential to do everything right."

It is here that McCullum's dual captaincy could be the spark that the white-ball team needs as the game of England cricket goes ahead with this rebuilding phase, with Stokes' commitment to recover underlining the resolve in the camp. It is over the next few months that the team will get down to brass tacks, building a decent foundation for the future.