England captain Ben Stokes vows to learn from mistakes and lead a recovery with coach Brendon McCullum and director Rob Key after a difficult Ashes tour.
BEN Stokes has described the last three months as the “hardest period” of his England captaincy but is determined to lead a revival alongside the current leadership team.
His emotional statement on Instagram followed confirmation from England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould that Stokes, managing director Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum would all remain in their posts.
This comes despite England’s 4-1 Test series defeat in Australia, which concluded in January.
Key had earlier denied suggestions of a rift between Stokes and McCullum during the tour, despite their contrasting public messages throughout the disappointing series.
“Being England captain is the greatest honour a player can be given and I do not take it for granted,” Stokes wrote.
“It has its highs and it has its lows, it makes you want to smile, it makes you want to cry.”
Stokes admitted the recent period had tested him profoundly but expressed full confidence in the established leadership group.
“The last 3 months has without a doubt been the hardest period of my captaincy journey,” he stated.
“Baz (McCullum), Rob and myself have the passion and desire to take this team forward, we are going to give you everything we have.”
The difficult tour was marred by more than just on-field performances, with reports of excessive player drinking and an altercation involving vice-captain Harry Brook with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand.
In response, team management has since enforced a midnight curfew for players.
The ECB is also seeking a new national selector following Luke Wright’s resignation for family reasons.
Stokes has been sidelined with a groin injury sustained during the final Ashes Test in Sydney but is set to return for Durham in the County Championship.
England’s home Test summer begins in June with a three-match series against New Zealand, followed by three Tests against Pakistan in August and September.
In a raw conclusion to his post, Stokes reaffirmed his commitment to the role and the team.
“I F*****G love cricket, I F*****G love this team, I F*****G love being England captain and I have got so much more to give to this role,” he wrote.
“We will aim to bring our supporters and fans happiness and a sense of pride as much as we can in the future.”
