‘The project isn’t finished’ McCullum digs in after Stokes’ exit but balks on new captain

Brendon McCullum said that “the project isn’t finished yet” as he pledged to stay on as England head coach despite the shock retirement of Ben Stokes, his captain and right-hand man over four years in charge of the Test team.

- Simon Burnton

After England lost against New Zealand yesterday in Stokes’s final game as an international cricketer, McCullum said he is fully committed to a contract that runs to the end of next year. “From my point of view, my enthusiasm and commitment to English cricket has never wavered, and that’s certainly the case now. I’m excited about the opportunity of where this team can get to,” he said.

“The project isn’t finished yet. When you take jobs like this, you know there are going to be days where you have to navigate through tough moments, and keep projecting forward to what you think the vision for your side is and how you are able to shape that. And again, for me, my enthusiasm and my commitment to English cricket has never wavered.”

Stokes, meanwhile, declared his “100% support” for Harry Brook to take his place as captain, despite the official line that no decision is imminent. He also suggested the appointment of Joe Root as interim when he was forced out of the second game of the series was not one he supported.

“There’s a reason he was asked to be vice-captain of this team,” Stokes said of Brook. “I know with all the controversy over the last couple of weeks, decisions were made. They were decisions I was not part of making. You are asked to be vice-captain for a reason, and I was vice-captain under Joe for a long time. It’s the natural progression, if the captain is not there you step up.