England’s Ashes 2025-26 campaign has taken another intense turn, and this time the focus is on Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. After all the criticism and pressure, Ben Stokes has made one thing very clear. The star all-rounder does not see himself leading the England Test team without McCullum as head coach.
England’s thrilling victory over Australia in the Boxing Day Test brought rare respite for both Stokes and McCullum, but did not eliminate the possibility of their dismissal. It was their first Test win in Australia since January 2011 and came as the Ashes slipped away just 11 days later.
Ben Stokes issues ECB ultimatum
Stokes has given a stern warning to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), saying that if they decide to sack McCullum, he will step down from the England Test captaincy. Gives a tough ultimatum to the ECB, which is all set to conduct a post-mortem after England’s Ashes tour of Australia.
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McCullum and England managing director Rob Key have faced constant questions over their future. Both remained calm and made it clear that they were ready to continue unless the ECB decided otherwise. The final decision is now up to ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould and President Richard Thompson, but Stokes warned against making drastic changes.
What did Ben Stokes say?
ESPN Cricinfo quoted Ben Stokes as saying, “Ashes tours have not been good in the past. But if you do what we did four years ago, we will be in the same position again. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Brendon. I can’t see anyone else joining this team.” [with]From where we are now, to even greater heights.”
The captain added, “We’ve put in a lot of time and effort to get this team to where we started, and now we’re in a position or situation where we know we want to get even more from the group and get even more from individuals, and we feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of getting everybody to where we are right now.”
Stokes-McCullum partnership and results
Ben Stokes points to his overall record as evidence of progress despite not winning four of his five-match Test series, two each against Australia and India. Under his leadership, England has won 26 Tests and lost 17.
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Still, the captain doesn’t hide from recent struggles. Stokes admitted that last year did not live up to expectations, with England winning only four and losing five of their 10 Test matches in 2025.
ECB’s multi-million pound dilemma
The Board is now faced with a difficult decision with significant financial and sporting consequences. McCullum has an ECB contract until the end of the 2027 domestic Ashes, so terminating his all-format contract would be costly for the board.
And then again, there is no clear, ready successor to Stokes or McCullum. Harry Brook is seen as a future leader but he is still developing. Finding a head coach who is compatible with Stokes’ philosophy is even more difficult. Additionally, removing both would force a complete strategic reset.
