Ben Stokes' England lost Ashes 2025/26 by 1-4 in Australia. Credits- afp.com
With the IPL 2026 and PSL 2026 making all the headlines, the two leagues from the subcontinent are hogging the majority of the limelight. However, England's Test Captain Ben Stokes has issued a massive statement to grab all the eyes.
Ben Stokes and England's Test team were in misery during the Ashes 2025-26 down under, where the much-promising Three Lions surrendered and lost 4-1. Since then, Stokes and Head Coach Brendon McCullum's futures in the Test setup have been under scrutiny.
Recently, England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had a long-fletched review meeting after the disastrous Ashes tour, where England's Bazball style came under the microscope. Reportedly, Stokes himself wasn't too keen on the coach's strategies. However, the English Test skipper has now come out in McCullum's defence.
Ben Stokes backs Brendon McCullum, Rob Key
While defending his captaincy in the recent times, Ben Stokes stated that the “last three months” were the “hardest period” in his captaincy.
"The last 3 months have without a doubt been the hardest period of my captaincy journey, it's tested me in so many different ways and I'm sure every other captain has gone through this as well, Ben Stokes said by taking to his Instagram.
Also Read: Liam Livingstone Exposes Dark Side Of ECB And Brendon McCullum After Mysterious Exit
Furthermore, Stokes cleared the air about his fallout with the Head Coach and Managing Director, Rob Key, while backing the two kingmakers.
"I have learnt a lot about myself but the most important thing that I want the fans to know is that.... I F*****G love cricket, I F*****G love this team, I F*****G love being England captain and I have got so much more to give to this role and I'm so happy that I get to do it with Baz (Brendon McCullum) and Rob (Key)," Stokes added.
England's failed Ashes campaign, ft. Ben Stokes, McCullum
Alongside McCullum, Ben Stokes also failed both as a player and a leader in the Ashes 2025/26. England were found wanting in phases throughout the five-game series, which translates to Stokes' captaincy. Moreover, his numbers didn't back him up. Stokes returned with 184 runs at 18.40, including just two half-centuries, with 15 wickets in eight innings.
The all-rounder hasn't played any cricket since then as Stokes is nursing a facial injury, about which he shared on his socials. Fortunately, Stokes isn't expected to take the field till later in June, for the New Zealand series. He also confirmed the same in his Instagram post.
"See you all in June for the start of the Test Match summer," Stokes said while concluding.
Meanwhile, McCullum had somewhat redeemed himself during the recently concluded 2026 T20 World Cup. England finished as a semifinalist by losing to the eventual winners, India, but only giving a tough fight in a 254-run chase. In the aftermath of the T20 World Cup and the ECB's review meeting, Baz is expected to continue as England's all-format coach.
When will Ben Stokes next take field?
Ben Stokes, who doesn't play in the IPL to concentrate on Tests, will be next seen in action in June, when New Zealand tour England for a three-game Test series. The first Test will be played at Lord's from June 4, the second at the Oval from June 17, and the final frontier is scheduled at Trent Bridge from June 25.
This series will England's third series in the current WTC cycle, where England are crawling in seventh place after 10 Tests. They have won just three matches and lost six, giving them a winning percentage of 31.67.
Also Read: Gujarat Titans Stars Who Can Take Retirement After IPL 2026
.jpg?type=mq "MSP vs KSO LLC 2026: Match Prediction")
