'I wouldn't be surprised' - ECB chief hints at possible Ben Stokes return ahead of 2027 Ashes
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Rob Key has appeared to leave the door open for Ben Stokes to return to the Test side ahead of the 2027 Ashes against Australia.
Stokes called time on his illustrious international career midway through England’s third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in June.
The news made its way around the ground during the Test, with the Durham all-rounder taking a wicket with his next ball.
The former England captain was absent for the second Test at the Oval after he and bowler Gus Atkinson were involved in a “breach of team protocol” at a London nightclub following victory in the Lord’s Test.
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Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached their “contractual obligations” but were not to blame for “violent conduct” after Saracens rugby player Totao Auvaa struck and injured a member of England’s security personnel, according to an investigation.
The 35-year-old, who played 122 Tests, 114 one-day internationals and 43 T20s for England across a 15-year international career, later explained how retiring was the “best thing” for him.
"It might sound quite selfish, but this decision is genuinely the best thing for me right now," Stokes told Sky Sports.
"I hope it's the best thing for the team going forward, but I also hope it's what will allow me to keep loving this game that has given me so much."
Stokes then explained how he had been considering his position since the disastrous tour of Australia last winter, with England losing the series before Christmas and finishing the Ashes with a 4-1 series defeat.
He added: “The Lord's Test, for me, was something that brought back negative feelings about where I was in my career.
"I'd worked so hard since getting home [from Australia] to put things right, or at least that's what I thought I was doing. I put so much time and effort into doing that, and I just burned myself out."
When asked if it was possible he could reverse his international retirement, Stokes insisted he was “done”.
Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, he said: “I am incredibly content with everything right now.
"It is a decision I don't take lightly. It has taken a lot of time. I am done. I am very happy."
Stokes has been playing for Durham since his international retirement, while Joe Root has replaced him as Test captain and Brendon McCullum, who remains white-ball coach, has been replaced as Test coach by New Zealander Stephen Fleming.
Could Ben Stokes return for the 2027 Ashes?
And just over a month on from his abrupt retirement, ECB managing director Key has seemingly hinted that Stokes returning ahead of the 2027 Ashes should not be ruled out.
During an interview with Sky Sports on Friday (July 31), the former Kent batsman admitted that he is open to Stokes returning before the five-Test home Ashes against Australia next summer.
“We haven’t got round to that at the moment, but it would be a great story,” Key said.
When asked if Stokes had suggested a return, he added: “No, he hasn’t, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Anything’s possible with Ben.”
Key was asked if his relationship with Stokes had broken down, to which he replied: “No, not at all. Not as far as I’m concerned.”
The 47-year-old also admitted that he considered stepping down from his post after the dismal Ashes defeat.
“Of course you do (consider your position),” Key explained. “This is a job where you’re constantly under pressure all the time. There’s uncertainty in it all the time. That’s part of being in this role. How close I came (to being sacked), I don’t know. How close I came myself (to resigning), what I was thinking, I obviously know.
“But it’s been a good few months — and even before that — where you’re constantly thinking, ‘Are you the right person? What is the thing you’ve got to do? Are you the person to put that in place?’ I believe I am, but that’s for the people above me to decide all the time.”
England’s summer continues with a three-Test series against Pakistan, with the first Test taking place at Headingley, Leeds on August 19.
Topics: Cricket, England, Ben Stokes
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