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• ‘Stokes will come back,’ says McCullum after England captain’s injury-hit Pakistan tour

  England coach Brendon McCullum backed ‘hurting’ Ben Stokes to come back stronger after they fell to a 2-1 defeat in the Test series in Pakistan on the captain’s return from a hamstring injury. 

  Stokes had missed the historic first Test in Multan that England won by an innings and 47 runs, but he recovered after a two-month lay-off to make himself available ahead of the second Test. 

  On a reused pitch in Multan, England fell to a 152-run defeat to the hosts with the 33-year-old all-rounder managing 1 and 37 with the bat and bowling just 10 overs without a wicket. 

  Stokes did not have much luck in the third Test either, collecting just 15 runs over the two innings as Pakistan made it back-to-back wins to win the three-match series. 

  “He's disappointed but he's our skipper and we know he's tough," McCullum told BBC Sport.

  "He'll make sure he'll come back. It's our job to make sure we wrap our arms around him and help him along the way."

• Sammy happy to finish Sri Lanka ODIs with a win; looks ahead to England home series

  West Indies white ball head coach Daren Sammy was pleased his side was able to register a win in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka on Saturday but notes that his side must improve in two key areas ahead of their upcoming home series against England.

  In a rain-affected game in Pallekele, the hosts batted first and made 156-3 off their 23 overs before the West Indies, chasing a revised target of 195, got to 196-2 with an over to spare, avoiding a series sweep and registering their first win in the format in 2024.

  The performance today, particularly with the bat, showed Sammy what can be possible when his side commits to a plan, specifically batting with intent.

  The batting was led by Evin Lewis and Sherfane Rutherford who finished not out on 102 and 50, respectively.

  “Evin (Lewis), in his first game in three years, was just amazing and Rutherford has been good throughout the series. Those were two shining lights for us,” Sammy said in a post-match interview on Saturday.

  With that said, Sammy also noted that his troops were not up to par with the ball or in the field and struggled in the first two games on spin friendly pitches.

  “The way we fielded and the way we bowled throughout the series was not up to the mark and when we were challenged on spin friendly wickets, our batsmen did not respond,” he said.

  “All in all, it’s good to finish with an emphatic win heading into the England series but a lot of learning from this trip,” he added.

  The team will now turn their attention to three ODIs and five T20Is at home against England from October 31-November 17.

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Sammy said.

  “Something about West Indians, whenever it’s time to play England, they’re always up for the challenge. It’s a big rivalry series and it’s at home. We’ve done well at home over the past 12-18 months. Hopefully we can give a better display than what we did in Sri Lanka,” he added.

  England last toured the West Indies from December 3-21 last year, losing the ODI series 1-2 and the T20I series 2-3.

   

• Stokes backs England's batters but concedes challenges were not met

  Ben Stokes has no doubt that England's battling line-up features the country's "best top six players", despite a capitulation against Pakistan.

  A 2-1 series defeat for England was confirmed on Saturday, as Pakistan claimed a nine-wicket triumph in Rawalpindi.

  The tourists were undone by Pakistan's spin bowlers, with Sajid Khan and Noman Ali seeing England all out for 112, their lowest-ever total in Pakistan. 

  England started the series with an emphatic victory, with Joe Root and Harry Brook dominating the first Test, but in matches two and three, their batting left much to be desired.

  Captain Stokes, though, is confident in the squad.

  "There is no doubt in my mind that we have got the best top six players in England," Stokes told Sky Sports.

  "You always pick your best players.

  The last couple of Tests we've been thrown some challenges and it's pretty easy to assess that we weren't able to stand up to those challenges."

  Stokes also put the onus on himself to improve, after he struggled to get going following his return from injury.

  "I am always trying to evolve and adapt whether against spin or pace," he said.

  "The disappointment is always there, it always hits hard, but when you have so much experience to fall back on it is a little bit easier to take."

  Ollie Pope, meanwhile, has come under criticism for his performances, but coach Brendon McCullum was quick to come to his defence.

  "What he did through the summer, stepping up with his captaincy and leadership and him stepping up into that role, even his 150 in that final Test match, we know when he gets in, he gets big scores and defining scores as well," said McCullum said.

  "It's not an easy place to bat at number three. I know he'll be disappointed with the volume of runs in this series but I expect him to bounce back in New Zealand.

  "We'll make sure he's got the required support to do so."

  England's next Test series sees them face New Zealand, starting next month.