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England captain Stokes downplays reports of disagreements with McCullum
International Test Match Series - Fifth Test - England Practice Session
Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fifth Test - England Practice Session - Kia Oval, London, Britain - July 30, 2025 England's Ben Stokes with head coach Brendon McCullum during the... Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab Read more
  • Stokes says he and McCullum sometimes disagree
  • Media reported tensions after Ashes defeat, but both publicly supported each other
  • ECB reviewed coaching team after Ashes, McCullum ​retained his job

April 14 (Reuters) - England captain Ben Stokes has played down reports ‌of disagreements with head coach Brendon McCullum but added that they do have different viewpoints at times.

British media reported that former New Zealand captain McCullum's relationship with test captain ​Stokes frayed during the recent 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia, ​though the duo have publicly backed each other.

"I am very confident ⁠in mine and Brendon's ability to be able to work together, because ​we've done it for such a long period of time now," Stokes said ​in an interview with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"But work together in a slightly different way. The main point of me and Brendon is our alignment towards winning things ​and making this team as good as they can be."

Since taking charge ​in 2022, McCullum and Stokes implemented an ultra-aggressive style of play known as "Bazball", which has ‌come ⁠under much scrutiny since England's Ashes defeat, which prompted the ECB to launch a thorough review into the team’s preparations.

McCullum was retained as coach.

"Agreeing on every single thing, that's just impossible," Stokes said.

"We agree 95% of the time ​on things, but those ​5% things ⁠that we might have different views on, we talk about it between each other and then we end up getting ​to the place where we want to get to.

"We ​put a ⁠lot of our heart and soul into this job. Brendon certainly has for the four years he's done it so far, and hopefully we'll still be together ⁠at ​the end of 2027, winning what we want ​to win."

England host New Zealand for a three-test series in June before eight limited-overs matches at ​home to India.

Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond

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