Legend Russell backs Stokes, but change thinking

McCullum plan doesn't work on its own ... be smarter'

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EXCLUSIVE BY RICHARD EDWARDS JACK RUSSELL believes that Bazball can survive - but only if England start to use their brains.

The England wicketkeeping legend also says that captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum SHOULD be given the chance to right their wrongs against Australia - at home next year and Down Under in four years' time.

The jury's out on the current squad after their shambolic 4-1 Ashes series loss Down Under. The tour is now the full focus of an ECB review that also includes looking at the future. England begin their Under19s World Cup campaign in Zimbabwe and Namibia against Pakistan on Friday.

Thomas Rew (18), Farhan Ahmed (17) and Ben Mayes (18) are just three talented teenagers who are being eyed for the next Ashes assignment. Hampshire's Manny Lumsden was only 16 in the summer, but was bowling at 87mph.

Four years ago, Sydney centurion Jacob Bethell was playing in the U19s World Cup Final so the current crop need to watch their backs.