Ben Stokes has revealed his ambition to coach England in the future, but ruled out any chance of ending his shock retirement from international cricket while addressing several big issues in the wake of his sudden exit from the international scene.
Stokes decoded: his concerns for Joe Root and hopes for ‘great man’ Stephen Fleming | Ali Martin
What England’s former captain did – and didn’t – say in two-hour podcast interview with his old teammates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler
Over the course of two hours chatting to his old friends Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler on their podcast, Ben Stokes sounded at peace with his decision to retire from England duty five weeks ago. Dare we say it, refreshed and ready to go again.
Beyond playing for Durham and in franchise cricket, Stokes is “definitely” retired, however, and there was not even a hint of a possible U-turn when the home Ashes rolls around next summer. Nor, given his character, was this first interview since calling it a day ever going to be one stuffed with regret.
Continue reading...Ben Stokes rules out 2027 Ashes return but ambition is ‘to coach England one day’
Player has spoken for first time since he quit Test cricket
Former captain expresses surprise Brook not given post
Ben Stokes has trained his sights on becoming England head coach in the future and expressed concerns about Joe Root’s impending second stint as Test captain.
In his first interview since retiring from England duty back in June – a two-hour chat with former teammates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler on the For The Love Of Cricket Podcast, Stokes once again ruled out returning for next summer’s Ashes.
Continue reading...‘I’d be a 100-Test player…’: Top contender opens up on spin race… and why he can bust Aussie myth
If Corey Rocchiccioli was a national selector, he would be penning his name in the Australian team in every single match.
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Australian great Allan Border is hoping for a more even test between bat and ball as the nation’s Test team embarks on a challenging 12 month period culminating in an away Ashes against England.
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A Big Bash bidding war has erupted with former England Test captain Ben Stokes and New Zealand blaster Finn Allen vying to become the BBL’s most expensive ever signing.
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The Caribbean-based Global Super League has produced perhaps the most extraordinary final in cricket history.
Root promises not to ‘rip up’ Bazball as Aussie great admits ‘surprise’ at captaincy comeback
Joe Root has promised to not rip up England’s Bazball playbook during his second stint as Test captain.
Key talks up Fleming England reset and an imaginary future for Test team
Managing director of men’s cricket wants a team that consistently win while preparing future captains and coaches
After a chaotic and miserable eight months, in which England’s Test team lost the Ashes in Australia, a home series against New Zealand, a captain, a coach, their once rampant self-confidence and a fair amount of respect, the appointment of Stephen Fleming gives them a chance to pivot towards a future that suddenly looks beguilingly bright, if mainly because for now it exists only in the imagination.
On Friday, Rob Key, the managing director of men’s cricket since April 2022, refused to admit to making any mistakes in that time. But as he explained the process behind Fleming’s recruitment, he occasionally and inadvertently damned himself. When he spoke about creating an environment designed to hone “all these players with so much potential who need refinement”, he said: “A lot of it’s about, can we bring someone in who can get this team to do the basics bloody well?” It probably didn’t need to take four years to realise such a person might be useful.
Continue reading...Key keeping England door open for Stokes: ‘Anything’s possible with Ben’
England captain retired from international game in June
Key says Fleming will start as Test coach in September
Rob Key has opened the door for Ben Stokes to return to England’s Test team a month after the former captain’s shock international retirement, saying he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the 35-year-old decides to come back into a new-look red-ball set-up for next summer’s Ashes.
England’s managing director of men’s cricket insisted his relationship with Stokes has not frayed beyond repair should the player decide to return to the international fold. “Not at all, not as far as I’m concerned,” Key said.
Continue reading...‘Rampant cronyism’ fear in Poms coaching pick as Baz-like blunder already called out — UK View
England’s shift into the post-Bazball era has officially begun, with former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming officially appointed as countryman Brendon McCullum’s successor as the nation’s Test coach.
‘Outstanding leader’ Fleming backed to find calm among the chaos for England
New Zealander has won the County Championship and makes those around him better but is also not averse to mind games
With two games of the 2005 season remaining Nottinghamshire, under the captaincy of Stephen Fleming, were sitting precariously at the top of the County Championship, still needing to visit their two main rivals. First up was Kent: Notts were 397 for five after the first day, but rain washed out most of the second and at the end of the third Kent were only five down. A draw looked inevitable, and with a Shane Warne-inspired Hampshire – Notts’ final opponents – on their way to victory at Glamorgan the title chase seemed to be turning. But Fleming had other plans.
“He called a meeting of the senior players on the fourth morning to say he had an idea,” says Darren Bicknell, his Notts teammate. “If Kent didn’t win the game against us, they were dead, they’d have no way to win the title, so he recognised that he had them over a barrel a little bit.” Fleming offered Kent the chance to chase 420 in 70 overs, an unlikely target – but also the best they were going to get. “To take a calculated gamble in that game was a stroke of genius,” Bicknell says. “Some of the senior players were a bit anxious, thinking we didn’t need to take any risks because the draw was still a good result. But people went with him.”
Continue reading...‘One of the best’: Baz ally locked in as new England boss, fresh Root twist as Langer issues warning
England will again be guided by a New Zealander, with former Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming appointed as Brendon McCullum’s replacement as Test coach, while Joe Root has returned as skipper.
Root to captain England after Fleming confirmed as new men’s Test coach
New Zealander will take over for South Africa series
Trescothick named interim coach for Pakistan Tests
Stephen Fleming has been confirmed as the new coach of the England men’s Test team, with Joe Root returning for a second spell as captain. Marcus Trescothick will take interim charge for the three-game series against Pakistan which starts at Headingley in three weeks, with Fleming due to arrive in the country “later this summer” and assume the reins for this winter’s trip to South Africa.
Following what the England and Wales Cricket Board described as “a rigorous process, which involved numerous high-quality candidates”, Fleming emerged as a unanimous choice. Rob Key, the managing director of men’s cricket, who led the recruitment process, said England were “very fortunate that someone of his calibre is willing to take on the challenge”, adding: “I believe he is the best person to guide a team stacked full of potential and turn that talent into a world-class outfit that can not only achieve success but sustain it.”
Continue reading...Aussie star’s surprise state switch confirmed as cheeky Insta post reveals reason for move
Australian white-ball spinner Adam Zampa has joined Queensland for the upcoming domestic season, leaving his home state of New South Wales to join the Bulls.