Ben Stokes reveals plans to move into coaching after England retirement

Ben Stokes said on the Love of Cricket podcast recently that he intends to remain in the game as a coach after announcing his international retirement one month earlier at the third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. He also said he would not return for next year’s Ashes.

Stokes confirmed at Trent Bridge that he would not play any international match after that game, an announcement that followed what the article described as a tough week occasioned by a nightclub incident in London. The 35-year-old said he had become mentally and physically burnt out after four and a half years in the captaincy role. Those circumstances preceded England naming a new Test captain.

In the podcast Stokes said he wants to move into coaching and is taking formal steps towards that aim. He revealed he is currently pursuing Level 3 coaching and said: “I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. Would I love to be the coach of England one day? Absolutely. I just really like the idea of being, again, like, in some form of leadership away from playing.”

Stokes offered his support to Joe Root as Root begins a second stint as England’s Test captain. Notably, the article states Stokes has worked closely with Stephen Fleming during his time with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

Stokes explicitly ruled out returning for next year’s Ashes, saying: “I never once thought, ‘I’m just going to give it up and just keep going as a player. I’m 35. If I’m not going to be captain, I think I’d find it tough to do it.”

After Stokes’ retirement, the ECB sacked Brendon McCullum from the Test role and named Stephen Fleming the new coach. England are scheduled to face Pakistan in three Tests starting on August 19. Joe Root is the new captain of England in Test cricket. Stephen Fleming is the new head coach of England in Test cricket.