Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes, left, the England captain and head coach Brendon McCullum look on as the New Zealand tour ends in defeat. Next year will define the Bazball project that has transformed the way that England play their Test cricket. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

New Zealand v England: Bazball faces year of destiny after tour ends on a downer
WHEN it’s good, it’s roses, chocolates and weekend trips to Paris; when it’s bad, it’s bust-ups, tantrums and plates being thrown around. Bazball is like a roll...

All smiles for New Zealand as they leave the field after bowling out England for 143 to gain a first-innings lead of 204. Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

New Zealand v England: Bad day at the office for the Bazball brigade

Jonathan Agnew is bringing his show to Scarborough Spa.

Cricket legend and correspondent 'Aggers' looks ahead to Scarborough show

NOT HAPPY: England test match captain, Ben Stokes (right), pictured with Shoaib Bashir during the first Test win over New Zealand in Christchurch last month. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Stokes blasts ICC over failure to liaise over points deduction

Joe Root, right, and Jacob Bethell share a joke as they leave the field after guiding England to victory with an unbroken third-wicket stand of 49. Bethell hit 50 and Root 23. Photo by Sanka Vidanagama/AFP via Getty Images.

New Zealand v England: Key phase for Bazball begins with a bang

England's Brydon Carse celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Glenn Phillips during the first test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

'Heart of a lion': How new England star Brydon Carse ripped through New Zealand

England's Shoaib Bashir bowls during play on the first day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Shoaib Bashir slows down Kane Williamson and New Zealand

LEADING MAN: England cricket captain Ben Stokes reacts during the Mihi Whakatau, a traditional teams welcome, on the field at Hagley Oval, ahead of the first cricket test against New Zealand in Christchurch Picture: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport/AP

Stokes determined to prolong England career for as long as possible

BIG DECISIONS: England cricket captain Ben Stokes performs a hongi at the Mihi Whakatau, a traditional teams welcome, on the field at Hagley Oval, ahead of the first cricket test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Picture: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport/AP

Stokes justifies decision to select rookie at No 3

Jos Buttler has just led England to a series win in the West Indies (Picture: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Jos Buttler offers Yorkshire star an England ODI lifeline

Whoops: England batsman Ben Stokes loses his bat as he plays a shot before being stumped by Mohammad Rizwan off Noman Ali.

Stokes loses his bat as Pakistan's spinners loosen England's grip

Pakistan bowler Sajid Khan celebrates after taking the wicket of Ollie Pope during day two of the Second Test Match between Pakistan and England at Multan Cricket Stadium (Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

'A ball with your name on it': Duckett and England face the wrath of Khan

RECORD BREAKER: England's Joe Root drives through the covers on the third day of the first Test match against Pakistan in Multan. Picture: AP/Anjum Naveed

'Incredible' Root hailed after passing England milestone

STICKING AROUND: England's Adil Rashid is keen to continue playing in limited overs cricket for England Picture: Danny Lawson/PA

Yorkshire's Rashid keen to stick around with England

IN CONTROL: Brendon McCullum will oversee England’s fortunes in all three formats from the start of next year after agreeing to succeed Matthew Mott as white-ball head coach. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA

‘Bazball’ comes to white-ball as McCullum steps in

LEADING CANDIDATE: England's Harry Brook is regarded by some as a future England captain - including former skipper, Michael Vaughan. Picture: Ben Whitley/PA

Brook has leading man qualities to become future England captain

THE MASTER: England’s Joe Root and Ollie Pope before the team group photo during a nets session at Lord's Picture: Steven Paston/PA

Root helping Pope develop leading man status for England

England batsman Harry Brook is bowled by Prabath Jayasuriya during day two of the First Test Match between England and Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford (Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

England v Sri Lanka: Jamie Smith to England's rescue at Old Trafford

A group of Northern Superchargers fans

Don't Miss Out: Last chance to watch the Northern Superchargers at Headingley th...

Ben Stokes of Northern Superchargers is carried from the field after picking up an injury during The Hundred match between Manchester Originals and Northern Superchargers at Emirates Old Trafford on August 11 (Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

England captain Ben Stokes injured on Northern Superchargers duty in The Hundred

LEADING MAN: Former England captain Andrew Flintoff pictured with David Willey and Adil Rashid at The Ageas Bowl last year. Picture: John Walton/PA

Superchargers role for Flintoff is England's gain - Broad
STUART BROAD believes Andrew Flintoff is being groomed for a role as England head coach with a stint alongside Ben Stokes overseeing Northern Superchargers.
David Charlesworth, PA

England's Joe Root celebrates reaching his century during day four of the Second Rothesay Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. (Picture: PA)

Stokes delight as Brook, Root and Bashir send England to victory

Having a blast. Jafer Chohan in action for Yorkshire in the T20 Blast. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Yorkshire CCC star Jafer Chohan aiming for the top with his feet on the ground

GOT HIM: West Indies' Kevin Sinclair celebrates the wicket of England's Harry Brook (not pictured) during day one at Trent Bridge Picture: Nigel French/PA

Pope makes sure England profit from West Indies' failure to take their chances

OLD AND THE NEW: England's Shoaib Bashir (left) pictured alongside James Anderson during a nets session at Lord's Picture: Steven Paston/PA

England's new faces given 'freedom' to express themselves

BOLD: England Test cricket captain Ben Stokes is known for his positive approach

England's Euro 2024 dilemma: Protect creaky defence or Bazball out of trouble?

NOT GOING OUT: England's Ben Stokes Picture: Joe Giddens/PA

Stokes hits England for six after pulling out of T20 World Cup title defence

Putting a brave face on it. England captain Ben Stokes leave the field with his side already facing a mountain to climb almost as big as the overlooking Himalayas. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

Plenty of starts, but little of substance for under-fed England - Chris Waters

Jonathan Bairstow of England poses for a portrait ahead of his 100th test match at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on March 05, 2024 in Dharamsala, India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

‘Special week’ as Jonny Bairstow joins England's elite in India

Northern Superchargers' head coach Andrew Flintoff. Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images.

Freddie keeps faith with his Superchargers squad

Close, but no cigar: India's captain Rohit Sharma, right, is stumped by England's Ben Foakes, left, on the fourth day of the fourth Test at Ranchi on Monday (Picture: AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Stokes insists 'no regrets' after India Test series defeat

So near and yet so far. Ben Stokes leaves the field after India's series win. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

'Boy' becomes a man but England come up short - Chris Waters
THEY couldn't, couldn't they? No, not quite. But boy did they give it a good go.
Chris Waters

Joe Root acknowledges the applause after his 31st Test century - and a record 10th against India. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

Joe Root reverts to glorious type with masterly century - Chris Waters

INTERESTING: England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum look at the pitch during a nets session at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England opt for height advantage as the look to pull level in Ranchi

ON THE BALL: England captain Ben Stokes bowls during a nets session in Ranchi Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England play waiting game over whether Stokes bowls in Ranchi

GOT HIM: England's Zak Crawley (centre) catches a ball during a practice session ahead of the third cricket test match against India in Rajkot Picture: AP Photo/Ajit Solanki

India increasingly confident they have answer to England's Bazball

CALM HEAD: England's Rehan Ahmed bowls during a practice session in Rajkot on Wednesday Picture: AP/Ajit Solanki

Stokes impressed by Ahmed's ability to deal with pressure on and off pitch

Captain marvel: Ben Stokes pulls off a wonder catch running back from mid-off to dismiss India's Shreyas Iyer off the bowling of Tom Hartley. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.

England daring to dream the impossible in pursuit of daunting target

England bowler Shoaib Bashir celebrates his first test wicket, that of Rohit Sharma during day one of the 2nd Test Match between India and England at ACA-VDCA Stadium on February 02, 2024 in Visakhapatnam (Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

‘Getting Rohit Sharma out, that’s all that matters’ - says England hero Bashir

England captain Ben Stokes chats with head coach Brendon McCullum, left, and Ollie Pope, right, after a look at the pitch ahead of the second Test against India. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Great chance for Ben Stokes’s England to build on incredible turnaround

Ben Duckett, left, with hands held high following an unsuccessful appeal by Jack Leach, right, claimed that England were in a strong position after day one - a nonsense statement embarrassingly exposed. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Let’s be honest, England can’t even talk a good game - Chris Waters

Ben Stokes, right, kept faith with Tom Hartley as the spinner struggled on Test debut as India got away. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Stokes sparkles with the bat but selection and strategy could prove costly

GOT HIM: Somerset's Shoaib Bashir celebrates the wicket of Hampshire's James Vince of Hampshire in July last year. Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images

Stokes reveals frustrations over Bashir's visa delays

CONFIDENT: England head coach Brendon McCullum (left) and managing director Rob Key Picture: Mike Egerton/PA

England prepared to be brave in Test opener against India

Plenty to ponder: England coach Matthew Mott cannot hide his disappointment despite victory at Eden Gardens following a disastrous World Cup campaign. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

England end their disastrous World Cup defence with a win

Ben Stokes hit a match winning hundred. Photo by PA.

England’s World Cup flops get the job done against dismal Dutch

Tech giant Elon Musk envisages a future where robots can do the work of human beings, perhaps affording hope to English cricket. Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.

Time for England’s ‘Musk-eteers’ to deliver - Chris Waters

Men under pressure: England coach Matthew Mott, left, and captain Jos Buttler. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

No silver bullet solution to England’s white-ball woes - Chris Waters

NEW DEAL: Yorkshire batter Joe Root has agreed a new three-year central contract with England. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA

Yorkshire CCC quintet handed new England deals

TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY: England captain Jos Buttler admits he is weighing up Chris Woakes' role as leader of the bowling attack ahead of their World Cup encounter against South Africa. Picture: John Walton/PA.

Brook set to discover if he keeps World Cup spot for England

INCOMING: Ben Stokes, pictured during a drinks break in the World Cup clash between England and Afghanistan in Delhi, is set to return to the fray against South Africa this Saturday. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Stokes delivers rallying call to England team-mates ahead of South Africa clash

Joe Root of England during a nets session at Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 13, 2023 in Delhi, India ahead of the World Cup game with Afghanistan (Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

'Retire? No. I’ll get pushed before that' - Joe Root on 50-over future

Defeated and dejected: Chris Woakes sums up the mood after England's opening night horror show in Ahmedabad. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

England make dire start to World Cup defence as Kiwis exact revenge for 2019

DOUBTFUL: England's Ben Stokes is considered doubtful as he looks on during a nets session at Narendra Modi Stadium ahead of Thursday's World Cup opener against New Zealand. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Yorkshire's Brook may get chance to star in World Cup opener

READY FOR ACTION: England's Jonny Bairstow (right) and Harry Brook (centre) during a nets session at the Riverside Stadium. Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA

Buttler hails return of Stokes as man for 'crucial moments'

IN THE RUNS: Northern Superchargers' Harry Brook celebrates his century during The Hundred match at Headingley on Tuesday Picture: Mike Egerton/PA

Yorkshire's Brook can still make England's World Cup squad - Buttler

Ben Stokes, left, and Harry Brook pictured during last month's Headingley Ashes Test. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Stokes back for one last crack at World Cup glory but Yorkshire's Brook left out

Ottis Gibson, the Yorkshire head coach and former England bowling coach. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Ottis Gibson reflects on an Ashes series that left England with mixed emotions

England's head coach Brendon McCullum hailed an epic Ashes series (Picture: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Brendon McCullum wishes Ashes was five more Tests as he hails clash of styles

England's Stuart Broad celebrates taking the wicket of Australia's Alex Carey to win the fifth LV= Insurance Ashes Series test match at The Kia Oval, London.(Picture: Mike Egerton/PA)

Stuart Broad writes perfect Ashes finale as England win thrilling final Test

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