BRENDON McCULLUM has no intention of following Ben Stokes out of the door after revealing he tried to dissuade England’s Test captain from retiring.

Stokes ended a captivating international career on Monday as England were beaten by New Zealand, whose 160-run win at Trent Bridge sealed a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph in the Rothesay Series.

While England have lost seven of their last nine Test matches, McCullum, whose contract as all-format head coach runs until the end of 2027, wants to stay on and turn around their fortunes.

“My enthusiasm for English cricket and my commitment to English cricket has never wavered,” said the New Zealander. “I’ve got a firm belief in the direction that this team can go.

FUTURE PLANS: England head coach Brendon McCullum - pictured at Trent Bridge on Monday - said he has no intention of following Ben Stokes out of the door after revealing he tried to dissuade England's Test captain from retiring. Picture: Jacob King/PA

placeholder image — FUTURE PLANS: England head coach Brendon McCullum - pictured at Trent Bridge on Monday - said he has no intention of following Ben Stokes out of the door after revealing he tried to dissuade England's Test captain from retiring. Picture: Jacob King/PA

“We still have an identity about us, but we want to continue to furnish and harness that to get us in a direction that we are the team that we want to be. The talent that sits within this country is immense.

“We just need to make sure we continue to give that opportunity, but still get results along the way. My belief in my commitment to English cricket has never wavered throughout.”

McCullum’s relationship with Stokes, seemingly rock solid since uniting as a team four years ago, has been under the microscope since the middle of a grim Ashes tour last winter.

Backed to continue in their jobs despite a 4-1 series loss, Stokes’ post-curfew celebrations after the first Test win over New Zealand and nightclub drama meant he was stood down from the second Test.

SEPARATTE WAYS: England head coach Brendon McCullum (right) and Ben Stokes during a nets session at the Kia Oval last July. Picture: Ben Whitley/PA

McCullum refused to back Stokes continuing in the job, saying on multiple occasions he was “worried” about him before an investigation cleared the all-rounder and Gus Atkinson to return in Nottingham.

McCullum, though, denied any accusations that a rift had developed between the pair, branding Stokes a “good friend”. When learning of Stokes’ plans to bow out, McCullum said he tried to intervene.

“He is going to be missed,” McCullum said. “When he confirmed to me he was going to retire, I tried to talk him down and it became pretty obvious he had made his decision and he was at peace with it.

“From that point on, your emotion leads on to just a bit of sadness because you have been on this journey together for four years and it’s been a real thrill.

“I feel very privileged that I’ve been able to work intimately with Stokes throughout their time and I consider him a good friend. From his point of view, I hope the next chapter is as great as the last.”

As for who will replace Stokes as England captain, McCullum added: “I think those are the conversations we need to have in due course.

“The good thing is, we’ve got some good strong leaders within the side, and we’ve got some options to be able to be able to utilise.

“They won’t be Ben Stokes, because Ben Stokes was very much his own type of leader, which we all adored. There will need to be some work put in there, but that’s just the nature of things.”