England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, recently revealed his enthusiasm for potentially returning to white-ball cricket under the leadership of head coach Brendon McCullum. McCullum, who has already formed a successful partnership with Stokes in Test cricket, is now poised to take charge of England’s limited-overs teams. This development has sparked discussions about Stokes reconsidering his ODI retirement, which he announced in 2022 due to burnout concerns.

Speaking during the third ODI at Chester-le-Street, Stokes discussed his eagerness to play under McCullum in the white-ball format. While he hasn’t made a firm decision yet, Stokes left the door open for a potential return, especially if McCullum reaches out.

“If I get the call and [Baz] says, ‘do you want to come and play?’ Then obviously, it’s definitely going to be a yes, but I’m not going to be too disappointed if I don’t, because I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it,” Ben Stokes shared with Sky Sports.

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He praised McCullum’s coaching philosophy, which has already made a significant impact on England’s Test team, and expressed his excitement for the white-ball side to experience the same approach. “It’s an amazing opportunity for the white-ball team to experience what Baz has brought to the Test team. He’s an incredible coach who speaks with utter commitment.”

Ben Stokes is keen to be part of England’s white-ball reboot under Brendon McCullum 👊 pic.twitter.com/pWBLYpD5eS

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 24, 2024

As the 2025 Champions Trophy looms, England’s selector Luke Wright has hinted at the possibility of including both Stokes and Joe Root in the white-ball squad. Stokes’ impressive track record in limited-overs cricket, including match-winning performances in two World Cup finals, makes him a valuable player for England’s campaign.

While open to the idea of returning, Stokes remains focused on Test cricket and his recovery from a hamstring injury. He is determined to regain full fitness ahead of England’s Test series against Pakistan, which begins on October 7 in Multan. Discussing his recovery, Ben Stokes said, “I’ve got my six-and-a-half week scan tomorrow, so we’ll know more from that, but I’m feeling really good.”

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Ben Stokes also highlighted the exciting new talent emerging in England’s white-ball setup, particularly mentioning young prospect Jacob Bethell as a future star. Whether or not Stokes makes his white-ball comeback, his influence on English cricket continues to grow under McCullum’s leadership.