Ben Stokes backs Brook ‘100%’ to succeed him as McCullum restates England commitment

Ben Stokes of England looks pensive as he stands with Joe Root after their England side lost the third Test, and the series, to New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Photograph: Matt West/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen Ben Stokes of England looks pensive as he stands with Joe Root after their England side lost the third Test, and the series, to New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Photograph: Matt West/Shutterstock Ben Stokes backs Brook ‘100%’ to succeed him as McCullum restates England commitment Stokes on Brook: ‘There’s a reason he was vice-captain’ Head coach says he will honour contract to end of 2027 Brendon McCullum said that “the project isn’t finished yet” as he pledged to stay on as England head coach despite the shock retirement of Ben Stokes, his captain and right‑hand man over four years in charge of the Test team. After England lost against New Zealand on Monday in Stokes’s final game as an international cricketer, McCullum said he is fully committed to a contract that runs to the end of next year. “From my point of view, my enthusiasm and commitment to English cricket has never wavered, and that’s certainly the case now. I’m excited about the opportunity of where this cricket team can get to,” he said. A helter-skelter ride: brilliant, charismatic Stokes is one of England’s best captains ever | Vic Marks “The project isn’t finished yet. When you take jobs like this, you know there are going to be days where you have to navigate through tough moments, and keep projecting forward to what you think the vision for your side is and how you are able to shape that. And again, for me, my enthusiasm and my commitment to English cricket has never wavered.” Stokes, meanwhile, declared his “100% support” for Harry Brook to take his place as captain, despite the official line that no decision is imminent. He also suggested the appointment of Joe Root as interim when he was forced out of the second game of the series was not one he supported. “There’s a reason he was asked to be vice-captain of this team,” Stokes said of Brook. “I know with all the controversy over the last couple of weeks, decisions were made. They were decisions I was not part of making. You are asked to be vice‑captain for a reason, and I was vice-captain under Joe for a long time.