An interview with Ben Stokes: 'English cricket doesn't lack talent... there are quite a few names'
Despite an Ashes disappointment in Australia last winter, England captain Ben Stokes remains optimistic about the future of English cricket as his side gears up to face New Zealand and Pakistan in home Test series this summer.
After a 4-1 Ashes series defeat Down Under, England’s leadership team, made up of head coach Brendon McCullum, Test captain Stokes and ECB Managing Director Rob Key, came under fire.
And despite calls for change, all three remain in post and are now looking ahead to the upcoming matches.
Former Australia batsman and ex-Durham director of cricket Marcus North has taken up the role of national selector following Luke Wright’s departure earlier this year.
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England get their summer underway at Lord’s on June 4, with the uncapped trio of Emilio Gay, James Rew and Sonny Baker among the fresh faces in the squad, while Ollie Robinson was recalled after a two-year hiatus from Test cricket.
Opening batsman Zak Crawley missed out, with spinner Liam Dawson also overlooked, while Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir were named as spin options.
Matthew Fisher, whose sole Test appearance came against the West Indies in 2022, also received a call-up.
Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue will look to put the winter behind them as they retain their spots in the squad.
The question remains over whether the so-called ‘Baz Ball’ approach will be altered ahead of the upcoming Tests, although Stokes wasn't overly keen to be drawn on this topic just yet.
'English cricket doesn't lack any talent' - Stokes excited about future
But the England skipper did open up about how he believes the future of the English game is bright despite the recent setbacks experienced by the Test side.
When asked who he’s most excited about, Stokes said: “There are a few. I won't name them. English cricket at the moment certainly doesn't lack any talent or future stars. I think [we are] very lucky at the moment. With the exposure of the Lions fixtures, the Under-19s World Cups, the Hundred and the T20 Blast, these young guys are getting exposure to playing at very high levels at such young ages; that’s a great part of their development, and I think there are quite a few names there that have a chance of making a successful international career.”
Mark Wood on injury and next generation of stars
Mark Wood, who was forced to fly home after suffering a knee injury after playing just one Test in Australia, also failed to make the squad as he continues his rehabilitation.
Speaking to SPORTbible in March, Wood admitted that his recovery has been “really slow”.
He said: “I still don’t think I have an endpoint at the minute… because of the stage I’m at in my career, I haven’t got a lot of time left potentially, and I want to try and get this right, so if I do come back, I’m fully back to that top end. I’m hoping that when I get back, I can get through a period of time without breaking down.”
When asked how tough his recurring injury issues have been on him mentally, the Durham bowler added: “Well, it is tough. Mentally, you do doubt yourself, and I think that's normal to think like that. I would be very surprised if anybody went through injury and they didn't doubt, you know, whether they would be the same or whether they would get back or how long it would take. And it's never in a sort of, you know, upward curve where you just get back and then that's it. There are always bumps along the way.
“I think you've just got to, for me, have good people around you. I've got a great family and close friends. I try to fill my time with a bit of coaching. Ultimately, you've got to remember that you're a professional and you've got to act like a professional, try and eat well, try and do my gym work. Remember, you know, I'm being paid well.”
The 36-year-old, who has taken 119 wickets in 38 Tests for England, then named several up-and-coming bowlers who he believes have bright futures in the game.
“I did a little bit of work with the England Lions and young England cricket last year alongside Freddie Flintoff and Neil Killeen, who I know really well, and there were a couple of young lads,” he said.
“I think Thomas Rew is going to be a fantastic player — obviously the captain of England Under-19s. Eddie Jack is a fast bowler I think people should keep an eye on and be aware of. He's certainly got a big future: lovely action, a strong lad, and I think he'll be able to bowl quicker and quicker as he develops in his career.
“So, I would certainly keep an eye on those two guys. They've really impressed me, and Eddie Jack is a fellow fast bowler. I think he's got all the attributes.
“And then another one that we've seen a little bit of, who might have had a tough first game, but I think Sonny Baker is someone who can naturally bowl fast. So, I think the more he gets used to international cricket, the more confidence he gains, and he could hopefully get quicker and quicker.”
Stokes on England future
It’s not just Wood who has struggled with injuries in recent years, with Stokes undergoing facial surgery after an incident in the nets at Durham back in February, which resulted in him breaking his right cheekbone.
The all-rounder had earlier suffered a groin injury during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.
However, his hunger to compete, lead his country and ultimately win matches remains strong.
When pressed on whether he has any career goals to tick off before retiring, he told SPORTbible: “Not really, I think I just absolutely love cricket.
“I still completely and utterly throw myself into training, and all the bits sort of away from the camera prove that, you know, I'm still heavily invested in wanting to keep playing. I want to win everything that we play. We have a big summer coming up, and then the Ashes in 2027. We want to win all those. I still love playing, I still love training, I love everything that comes with being a professional athlete.”
England Men’s Test Schedule Summer 2026
4–8 June — New Zealand — Lord’s
17–21 June — New Zealand — The Oval
25–29 June — New Zealand — Trent Bridge
19–23 August — Pakistan — Headingley
27–31 August — Pakistan — Lord’s
9–13 September — Pakistan — Edgbaston
Topics: Ben Stokes, Cricket, England, Spotlight
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