LONDON: Ben Stokes has lauded the decision to appoint Brendon McCullum as the new head coach of England's limited-overs sides, calling it "an incredible step" for the future of the sport in the country. McCullum, who has already revolutionized England's Test cricket with his leadership style, will now take charge of all formats starting in 2025 under a new three-year deal that will extend his tenure till 2027.

Since taking over the reins of the Test team in May 2022, McCullum, alongside Stokes, has overseen a dramatic transformation, with England winning 19 of their 28 Tests, including six out of nine series wins. This remarkable turnaround has instilled a sense of freedom and confidence within the team, often referred to as 'baseball', a term synonymous with England's new, aggressive approach to Test cricket.

Making McCullum the white ball coach is an incredible move

Speaking at the Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London, the Test captain could not hide his excitement about McCullum's expanded role. "I was very surprised by the news. First and foremost, I think putting one coach in charge of all the teams is an incredible move for English cricket. You look at what Baz has achieved with the Test team, it's amazing," Stokes joked to ESPNcricinfo. While the Test team has prospered, England's white-ball fortunes have waned. The golden generation that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup has reached the end of its cycle, leading to a series of disappointing performances.

Matthew Mott resigned after the T20 World Cup

Matthew Mott, who was appointed to oversee the limited-overs teams along with McCullum, stepped down in July after disappointing campaigns in the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and the T20 version earlier this year. Now, McCullum is set to guide the team across all formats. Stokes believes the future looks brighter than ever.

McCullum will be influential in ODIs and T20s too

Stokes was particularly optimistic about McCullum's influence on the new generation of white-ball cricketers who are set to emerge in the coming months. He believes McCullum's philosophy and leadership style will be invaluable, especially for those stepping into international cricket for the first time. 'I'm really excited for the white-ball team to get the chance to work with Baz, listen to him and hear his opinions. I think Jos will really enjoy working with them as their coach. And you look at all the new faces that are now coming into the white-ball team, I can't think of a better person for them to come in and work at the international level for the first time. He gives everyone the platform to go out and enjoy. Baz never puts any extra pressure on anyone's shoulders.'

Can return in white ball format

The move could also impact Stokes' own future in limited-overs cricket. After missing out on the T20 World Cup, he is reportedly considering a return for the 2025 Champions Trophy. McCullum's appointment could be a factor in that decision, as the two have developed a strong working relationship in the Test arena. As England's Test squad prepares for a busy winter, starting with the series against Pakistan in October, Stokes faces his own challenges. The captain is currently recovering from a left hamstring injury, an injury he suffered while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. Although eager to return, Stokes admitted his participation in the first Test against Pakistan is still uncertain.

Giving yourself a chance to be completely fit

Stokes said, 'These injuries have a recurrence rate of 50 percent, which is quite high. I would rather take an extra two weeks than risk potentially doing something bad and then keeping myself out of the game for a long time. I'm just making sure I'm doing everything right and doing everything I possibly can to try and give myself a chance to be fit for that first Test.'