Stokes in no doubt that 'Bazball' set-up is right

England captain makes case for partnership with McCullum to continue

- RORY DOLLARD

> Ben Stokes bowling during a nets session at the Sydney Cricket Ground

(Robbie Stephenson)

BEN Stokes believes splitting up his 'Bazball' double act with Brendon McCullum would be the wrong solution for England's Ashes disappointment.

England handed the urn to Australia with three defeats in 11 chastening days before ending their 15-year winless streak Down Under with victory in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

One more chance awaits when they line up for the series finale in Sydney (starting 11.30pm tonight GMT) with the fate of the regime's key decision-makers still under the microscope.

With his unmatched influence in the dressing room and no obvious contenders to replace him, Stokes' position as captain appears on considerably firmer footing than McCullum's. But the pair have worked at close quarters over the past three-and-a-half years and Stokes is certain they are best placed to pick up the pieces from an anticlimactic tour.

Both men are contracted for another 18 months, culminating in the home Ashes summer of 2027, and Stokes said: "There is no doubt in my mind that me and Brendon are the right people to carry on doing this for the near future.