Ben Stokes has said he hopes to become England’s head coach one day and is already working towards the qualifications he will need.
Preparing for life after playing
Stokes, who is playing for Durham in the One-Day Cup, said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast that he is completing his Level 3 coaching award while still playing so everything is signed off before he retires. He wants to stay in the game as a coach, and asked whether he would love to coach England, his answer was an emphatic yes. He added that he enjoys leadership roles and sees coaching as the ideal way to stay involved.
Support for Root
Since Stokes retired from international cricket earlier this year, Joe Root has returned as England’s Test captain, having previously led from 2017 to 2022 before stepping down because of the mental and emotional strain. Stokes said he wishes Root every success but worries about him going through the same pressures again, having seen them first-hand. He hopes his close friend enjoys working with Stephen Fleming.
England have named Fleming Test head coach ahead of the South Africa tour, while Brendon McCullum continues to oversee the white-ball sides.
Surprise over Brook
Stokes said he was surprised that Harry Brook, the Test vice-captain and current white-ball captain, was passed over when Stokes missed a match and Root led instead. If you think someone is ready, he argued, you should give them the responsibility.
England’s next series is three Tests against Pakistan, starting at Headingley on August 19, with Marcus Trescothick as interim coach until Fleming formally takes over later in the year.
