Baz stays stoked to develop England’s new chapter

HEAD COACH HAS ‘UNWAVERING COMMITMENT’ AFTER BEN’S EXIT

- By DAVID CHARLESWORTH

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 yesterday 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.

England were bowled out for 212 midway through the final day to fall to their first home series defeat since Stokes and head coach McCullum took charge four years ago. Not since 2012 have England lost a home series of at least three matches.

Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson at least staved off humiliation with a battling seventh wicket stand of 75, as Smith completed only his second half-century in 11 months.

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.