Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald believes Ben Stokes might make a sensational return to Test cricket before the 2027 Ashes, and he speculates that England’s next head coach might try to convince the former captain to rethink his mind about quitting.
England is currently undergoing a dramatic change as head coach Brendon McCullum leaves and Stokes retires from Test cricket. The team is now searching for a new captain and coach after a difficult run in which they have lost seven of their past nine Test matches.
Despite Stokes abandoning the longest format, McDonald believes the England all-rounder still has a lot to offer and believes a return is not impossible.
Australia’s coach told radio station SEN, “I think the fairytale would be that he comes back out of retirement and takes on one more Ashes and builds a lot of hype on the way in.”
“If you’re looking at promoting that series, that’s probably the angle that you would want, that he comes out of retirement,” McDonald continued, speculating that Stokes’ talent and experience would persuade England’s new coach to discuss a potential comeback. He still has a lot of good cricket left in him, in my opinion. It will be interesting to see. I believe that the new head coach may speak with him.
McDonald acknowledged that Australia is closely monitoring England’s progress, but he underlined that the matter remains unclear because Stokes’ reasons for retiring have not been adequately made public.
“We don’t know why Ben left, and I don’t believe there is a clear explanation in the file. There might be a complete end there because he may have simply given up on Test cricket.Alternatively, there may be a chance for that new head coach to persuade him to return.”
While discussing the uncertainty surrounding England, McDonald praised Stokes for his long-term impact on Test cricket, saying, “But if it ends now, he’s had a wonderful career in terms of what he’s brought to the game, his impact in certain innings and moments in time.” He remarked, “It will age pretty well for him to look back on.”
England’s first match in the post-Stokes and post-McCullum era will be a three-Test home series against Pakistan beginning on August 19.
