I Know What I Want to Do in Terms of Staying Within the Game, Which Is to Be a Coach

Ben Stokes says he would love to become England head coach in the future, as he expresses concerns about the toll captaincy could take on Joe Root. Stokes, who played 122 Tests, 114 one-day internationals and 43 T20s for England, announced his shock retirement from international cricket in June during the third Test against New Zealand. Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, the 35-year-old also expressed surprise at Harry Brook not succeeding him as Test captain and concern for Root being appointed to the role.

"I'm doing my level three coaching now while I'm still playing, because I want, when the day comes that I'm not playing any more, I'd love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done, said Stokes. "I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. And would I love to be coach of England one day?

Absolutely. Stokes rejected suggestions he could reverse his retirement for the 2027 Ashes, telling former team-mate Jos Buttler he had "definitely" retired. England have since appointed Root as Test captain instead of Brook, who was promoted to vice-captain for last winter's Ashes tour but was involved in an off-field controversy in Wellington.

Stokes had backed Brook to succeed him. "I think just if you think someone's going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them it, said Stokes. "I understood the reasoning but I was still like, well, what message is that sending to him?

He's vice-captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he's not captain. What?

Root's first spell as Test captain was between 2017 and 2022, captaining England to a record 27 Test wins in 65 matches. He stepped down in April 2022 following a 10-wicket defeat by West Indies, with England having won just one of their past 17 Tests. Root will work with new England Test coach Stephen Fleming.

"I wish him nothing but success. I hope he goes on and achieves amazing things in his role as captain and I think he's going to really enjoy it with Flem. He's a great man, said Stokes.

"I told Joe, I said my only worry is just you. And that's all I really care about now, just because I have seen what he went through and how much he put himself through for someone. He's just always put the team first - he always comes second.

And that's just my only concern with it, is just obviously knowing what he went through last time he was in charge of the team. I don't want to see that ever happen again because I care for Joe a lot, but I wish him all the success in the world.