Stokes looks to future after 'hardest period'

Ben Stokes has described the past three months as “the hardest period” of his England captaincy and vowed that he, head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key will channel their “passion and desire” to move the Test team forward.

In an open letter released on social media, the 34-year-old reflected on a turbulent winter that ended with a 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, a campaign marred by poor planning, under-par performances and off-field issues including questions over player alcohol use. The trio will keep their roles after an England and Wales Cricket Board review opted against personnel changes, a decision Stokes greeted with relief and renewed determination.

“Being England captain is the greatest honour a player can be given and I do not take it for granted,” Stokes wrote. “It completely and utterly consumes you… the last three months has without a doubt been the hardest period of my captaincy journey.”

The all-rounder, who has not played since damaging his groin in January’s fifth Test in Sydney, confirmed he expects to return for Durham in the County Championship next month ahead of home series against New Zealand in June and Pakistan later in the summer. He admitted the squad “made mistakes” in Australia but insisted those errors have become lessons, adding: “You learn more from failure than success.”

Earlier on Monday Key dismissed speculation of a rift between Stokes and McCullum, stating there was “no bust-up” despite conflicting messages emerging during the Ashes. Stokes reinforced the unity message by posting a photograph of himself alongside Key and McCullum, pledging: “I have got so much more to give to this role and I’m so happy that I get to do it with Baz and Rob.”

The captain signed off with an expletive-laden declaration of love for cricket, the England team and the captaincy, promising supporters the leadership group will “give you everything we have” in the quest to restore pride.