Ben Stokes in Contention for England's White-Ball Captaincy: Report

Add as a preferred source on Google

England's white-ball cricket is at a turning point following Jos Buttler's resignation as captain after a disappointing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

Speculations have intensified over whether Test skipper Ben Stokes could also assume the ODI captaincy or not.

Stokes, who last featured in a 50-over match during England's disappointing 2023 World Cup title defense, remains a strong candidate. Managing Director, Rob Key praised Stokes' leadership abilities, stating, "Ben Stokes is one of the best captains I've ever seen, so it'd be stupid not to look at him." However, he acknowledged the challenges of Stokes juggling both Test and ODI leadership duties.

England are also considering appointing separate captains for the ODI and T20I formats, with names such as Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Harry Brook emerging in discussions. Key stressed the importance of making the right decision rather than rushing into one. "We're looking for the best person, someone who can take this forward," he said.

England's early exit from the Champions Trophy exposed deep-rooted issues within the squad. Heavy defeats to Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa highlighted flaws in team selection and balance. England opted for a pace-heavy attack in subcontinental conditions, while injuries to Brydon Carse and Mark Wood further derailed their campaign. Initially, Adil Rashid was the sole specialist spinner in the squad, with Rehan Ahmed drafted in as an injury replacement.

Reflecting on the team's struggles, Key admitted, "We were very poor. We haven't been particularly good in white-ball cricket since Eoin Morgan's era. The batting, in particular, has fallen off a cliff."

England's white-ball decline had been apparent even before the Champions Trophy, with heavy ODI and T20I defeats in India. Reports suggested that only Joe Root practiced in the nets during the ODI series, but Key dismissed these claims. "That story wasn't true," he clarified. "I saw the team in Pakistan, and they practised hard. It wasn't a lack of preparation that caused poor performances."

As England look to rebuild after a disastrous campaign, the decision on their next white-ball captain-whether it be Stokes or another emerging leader-will be crucial in shaping the future of the team.