Ben Stokes would not hesitate to accept a call-up to England's limited-overs teams under Brendon McCullum, who he has backed to be a success in his new role.
Earlier this month, it was announced McCullum would add coaching England's T20I and ODI sides to his remit as head coach of the Test team – a position he has held since 2022.
Ben Stokes assumed the red-ball captaincy at the same time, and the duo have overseen a transformation in the team's fortunes.
England have won 19 of their 29 Tests under McCullum after only winning one of their previous 17, also scoring 4.57 runs per over on average since the New Zealander took charge, compared to 3.09 in their previous 29 Tests beforehand.
Stokes did represent England as they struggled at the 50-over World Cup last year but sat out the T20 equivalent in June to concentrate on the Test summer.
However, Stokes – who has since been sidelined by a hamstring injury – says he would be willing to return to limited-overs cricket following the change in leadership.
"I've played a lot of white-ball cricket for England and I'm very happy and content with what I've achieved in that form of the game," Stokes told Sky Sports Cricket.
"If I am part of the white-ball teams' plans going forward in any way, shape or form then great, but also I'm fine if I'm not because that would mean that someone else is coming through and doing really well.
"If I get the call to come and play, then obviously it's definitely going to be a yes. But I'm not going to be too disappointed if I don't, it means that I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it.
"Me and Baz have not spoken about anything like that whatsoever. He's just letting me concentrate on what I need to with the Test team and when that time and conversation comes, then we'll see."
McCullum, who will officially begin his new role in January, consulted Stokes before accepting the new responsibilities, and Stokes did not take issue with the change.
"I'm a cricket fan, an England cricket fan and I want all the teams to do as well as each other," Stokes said.
"If there was any selfishness about me, I would have said 'nah, you need to be with us', but I think it's an amazing opportunity for the white-ball team to experience what Baz has brought to the Test team.
"I'm really looking forward to the white-ball team being able to have McCullum in the dressing room and it's nice to have all three teams with the same messaging and same philosophies towards playing cricket."
Marsh: Australia have 'moved on' from Ashes drama ahead of Lord's return
Mitchell Marsh insists Australia have moved on from the "drama" that marred last year's Ashes Test with England, ahead of their return to Lord's.
The Baggy Greens lead England 2-1 in the ongoing ODI series heading into the fourth instalment on Friday.
It will be Australia's first visit to Lord's since unsavoury scenes involving their players and spectators ensued during the notorious Ashes Test, following Alex Carey's controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow.
The incident culminated in an MCC member receiving a lifetime ban, while two others were suspended for directing "abusive, offensive or inappropriate behaviour or language" towards Australia's players.
Carey has enjoyed an impressive series, hitting 74 in the second ODI at Headingley and 77 in the third in Durham, and Marsh insists his team-mates are motivated by last year's events.
When asked if there had been any discussions ahead of their return, he told reporters: "No, there hasn't. We've really moved on from that.
"I think there's always excitement playing at Lord's. It's the greatest ground in the world, bar the WACA, of course - the history and the tradition here, it's always a fantastic place to play.
"Obviously, these things happen in Ashes Test matches. There's not a series that goes by that doesn't have some sort of drama."
On Carey, he added: "I don't think [being motivated by last year's events is] in his character. But Alex certainly loves playing in England. We all do.
"The fans are always incredible, and it's always a tough challenge playing against England, so I think he's just wrapped to be back here playing for Australia."
Dwayne Bravo officially retires after storied career
West Indies and T20 cricket legend Dwayne Bravo has officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing an end to a storied 18-year career that spanned the globe. The 40-year-old, who turns 41 next month, made the announcement via an emotional post on Instagram, citing the toll that injuries have taken on his body.
"My mind wants to keep going, but my body can no longer endure the pain, the breakdowns, and the strain," Bravo shared. "I can't put myself in a position where I might let down my teammates, my fans, or the teams I represent. So, with a heavy heart, I officially announce my retirement from the sport. Today, the Champion bids farewell."
Bravo's final season in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was cut short by a groin injury while playing for the Trinbago Knight Riders against the St. Lucia Kings in Tarouba. Despite the abrupt end to his CPL campaign, Bravo was given a guard of honour by his teammates during his final appearance for the Trinbago Knight Riders in Port of Spain against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on September 18, 2024.
Bravo, who is the leading T20 wicket-taker in history with 631 wickets from 582 appearances, has been a trailblazer in the format. Known for his variations and impeccable death bowling, he helped revolutionize T20 cricket, setting a high standard for bowlers around the world. In his illustrious career, Bravo won titles across the globe, including in the IPL, PSL, and Big Bash League. He also played a pivotal role in the West Indies' two T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016.
Before the start of the 2024 CPL season, Bravo had announced that it would be his last. He had been scheduled to play in the third season of the UAE's ILT20, having been retained by MI Emirates, but decided to call time on his career after his latest injury.
Bravo had already retired from international cricket in 2021 and stepped away from the IPL in 2022, transitioning into coaching roles with Chennai Super Kings and the Afghanistan men's national team.
The Trinidadian leaves behind an unmatched legacy in the CPL, where he became the most decorated player in the tournament's history, winning five titles, including three with the Trinbago Knight Riders. Bravo captained the Knight Riders to back-to-back CPL titles in 2017 and 2018 before leading the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots to their first championship in 2021.
Despite his retirement from playing, Bravo’s influence on the game is expected to continue through his coaching roles and the mentorship he has provided to countless cricketers throughout his career.
Known affectionately as "Champion," a nickname derived from his hit song of the same name, Dwayne Bravo leaves behind a T20 career that will be hard to match, not just in terms of statistics, but in the energy, flair, and joy he brought to the game.
As Bravo said in his farewell message, "The Champion bids farewell," but his legacy will undoubtedly live on.
Chandimal century sets the stage for big Sri Lanka score
Sri Lanka are well placed to mount a huge first-innings score after Dinesh Chandimal's century propelled them to 306-3 on day one against New Zealand.
After claiming a convincing win in the first Test, hosts Sri Lanka picked up where they left off in Galle.
Chandimal was the star of the show, trundling his way along to 116 from 208 deliveries before he was bowled by Glenn Phillips (1-33).
New Zealand's day started well, with Tim Southee dismissing Pathum Nissanka in the first over, yet Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne (46) put on a second-wicket partnership of 122.
But it was not just that duo who did the damage for Sri Lanka, with Angelo Mathews clipping his way to 78 not-out and Kamindu Mendis helping himself to an unbeaten half-century before stumps, which brought up a record of eight successive fifties since he made his Test debut.
Sri Lanka got lucky at times, with Daryl Mitchell putting down two catches in the slips while Tom Blundell squandered a great chance to stump Karunaratne, but the Black Caps must now look to recover with a better showing in the field on day two.
Data Debrief: Blundell's century a rare bright spot
While Blundell was left red-faced when he failed to stump Karunaratne, the New Zealand wicketkeeper did have something to smile about on Thursday.
When he caught out Nissanka early on, Blundell became the fifth wicketkeeper to record 100 dismissals for the Black Caps in the longest format (86 catches, 14 stumpings).
Indeed, his tally of stumpings is the most in Test history for New Zealand, which is why his blunder later on was such a bad miss.
For Sri Lanka, meanwhile, Mendis ticked over 900 Test runs across 2024, the second-most of any player this year, behind England's Joe Root (986).
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