With debates about coaching and transitions after retirement, former all-rounder Ben Stokes has declared his desire to become England’s coach in the future. Notably, Stokes announced his surprise retirement from international cricket during the third Test against New Zealand in June, causing shockwaves throughout the cricketing world.
The top cricketer’s choice sparked off a series of events that resulted in Brendon McCullum stepping down from his position with the Test team. The all-rounder, who is now playing for Durham in the One-Day Cup, also disclosed that he has been working on his coaching credentials in order to complete them before calling it a career.
Ben Stokes wishes Joe Root nothing but success.
With Ben Stokes’ resignation creating a vacancy at the helm, England has once again turned to Joe Root, naming the talismanic batter as captain.
Root captained England in the longest format from 2017 to 2022, stepping down after discovering the ‘toll’ of the Covid-19 pandemic. He will be joined by former New Zealand captain and Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming, who will take over before England’s visit of South Africa in December. McCullum will, however, remain in charge of the white-ball teams.
Ben Stokes has supported Root for the post, but has expressed concern for his former teammate and close friend, noting that he was aware of what Root went through during his first spell as captain and does not want to see it happen again.
He also tipped Root to form a good partnership with Fleming, whom Stokes previously worked with at the Super Kings in 2024. Ben Stokes also questioned why Harry Brook, the team’s vice-captain, was not named Test captain.
Brook, who captains the white-ball teams, was named vice-captain before the Ashes in the winter of 2025, but was ignored when Ben Stokes missed the second Test against New Zealand due to a nightclub incident. Brook was also embroiled in a dispute with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington during a white-ball tour in October 2025, prompting Root to take over for the game.
England’s next Test assignment will be a three-match series against Pakistan, beginning on August 19 at Headingley. Marcus Trescothick, the team’s assistant coach, will take over on an interim basis throughout the series.
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