Managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Rob Key has suggested Ben Stokes, star all-rounder and captain of England’s Test team, would like to lead the white-ball teams of England. After winning the 2019 ODI World Cup, Eoin Morgan was succeeded in 2022 by Jos Buttler, who resigned from his post on February 28; the ECB is seeking for his replacement before the 2025-26 season starts.
Stokes, who played a crucial part in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup and 2019 ODI World Cup success, is reported last week to be competing for leadership of England white-ball captaincy also, and Key has now confirmed his interest
Key, who captained England in 15 Tests, 5 ODIs, and one T20I during his seven-year international career, said that not to include the Test skipper would be “stupid.” He disclosed that Stokes had been made aware of the notion not long ago, which did not get immediate rebuff.
Honestly, I haven’t really discussed it (white-ball captaincy) with Stokes. I (just) kind of reminded him the other day, (after) when I did the written media roundtable (interview), and said to Stokes, ‘By the way I have just said you are under consideration for the white-ball job,’&’ Key said Monday night on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“And he kind of next posts the thumbs-up emoji and so on, as if to say ‘OK – not that I have given him that, but those are the kind of talks we have.“
Key has also emphasized, though, other excellent contenders for the white-ball captaincy including with Harry Brook. Named Buttler’s deputy for the Champions Trophy 2025, Book led England in the home series against Australia in September 2024 and then was also named their white-ball captain.
Key said: “Over the next couple weeks, I will reason quite bitterly with few others and try to determine what we consider the best course of action.”
“Though Stokes is presently in Abu Dhabi, getting himself back in shape, and there is of course a risk with that, I do find it fascinating whether 50-over cricket is for him.”. So there are a few different things to try and decide, but I also don’t think it is one to rush,” he included.
