‘It’s my fault’: Ben Stokes blames himself for Brendon McCullum’s England Test coach exit | Cricket News
Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that coaching the national side is his long-term ambition, while making it clear that his international playing career is over despite speculation about a possible return for the 2027 Ashes. Stokes called time on his England career following the recent Test series against New Zealand, ending a remarkable international journey. His retirement came after he missed the second Test of the series following an incident at a London nightclub. Speaking on the For The Love of Cricket podcast, hosted by Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler, Stokes said he is already preparing for life after retirement by working towards his Level Three coaching qualification. “I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game – which is to be a coach. I’m doing my level three coaching now while I’m still playing, because I want, when the day comes that I’m not playing any more, I’d love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done,” said Stokes. The 35-year-old admitted that taking charge of England in the future is a goal he hopes to achieve. “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, again, like, in some form of leadership away from playing,” he said. Stokes also spoke about England’s decision to appoint Joe Root as Test captain after his retirement, revealing he had expected vice-captain Harry Brook to take over the role. “I think just if you think someone’s going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give it to them. I understood the reasoning, but I was still like, well, what message is that sending to him? “He’s vice-captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he’s not captain. What?” said Stokes. Despite his surprise over the decision, Stokes backed Root to succeed in his second stint as skipper and praised new Test coach Stephen Fleming. “I love Rooty. I wish him nothing but success. I hope he goes on to achieve amazing things in his role of captain, and I think he’s going to really enjoy it with Flem. He’s a great man. I’ve worked with Flem before,” he said. Stokes captained England’s Test side from 2022 to 2026, partnering Brendon McCullum in a period that transformed England’s approach to red-ball cricket through the aggressive style popularly known as ‘Bazball’. McCullum stepped down from the Test coaching role two weeks after Stokes announced his retirement, with former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming appointed as his successor. McCullum’s four-year tenure began in 2022 and initially brought impressive results before England endured a difficult run, losing seven of their last nine Tests. Reflecting on McCullum’s departure, Stokes jokingly blamed himself. “I was surprised. If I hadn’t made the decision that I made four weeks ago, Baz would still be coach. So it’s my fault!” said Stokes. He also shared how he informed McCullum about his retirement. “When I told Baz (about retirement), he was making toast, and I just went ‘oh, I’m done’. I’d obviously had discussions with him anyway and then told him over toast. “Then, again, he was like ‘yeah, I’ve been given the tap on the shoulder’ and I was like ‘oh’. But he’s still very excited and very happy to be moving forward with the white-ball because he’s doing a very good job there.” Stokes also dismissed suggestions that he could reverse his retirement and return for next summer’s Ashes, despite England men’s managing director Rob Key stating the door remained open. “I never once thought, ‘I’m just going to give it up and just keep going as a player’. I’m 35. If I’m not going to be captain, I think I’d find it tough to do it. Not saying because I’d find it tough to be led by someone else. I just think because I’ve given so much of this part of my career to my job, if I’m going to be play for England it’s going to be as captain. “I was very comfortable retiring from playing and not thinking about playing for England,” he said.
