Ben Stokes may reverse retirement for 2025 Ashes, Australia coach says
Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald said he believes former England captain Ben Stokes could be persuaded to come out of Test retirement for next year’s Ashes. McDonald called the idea a "fairytale" and noted that Stokes still has a lot of good cricket left. Stokes retired after England’s series loss to New Zealand and has since played two 50‑over matches for Durham, scoring unbeaten 108 and 73. He finished his international career with 122 Tests, including a role in England’s 2015 Ashes victory. England currently sit seventh in the ICC World Test Championship. McDonald added that a new England head coach might have a conversation with Stokes and that his return could boost promotion of the series. He is also preparing Australia for upcoming Tests against Bangladesh in Darwin and other fixtures later in the year.
Entities: Andrew McDonald · Australia national cricket team · Ben Stokes · Durham County Cricket Club · England national cricket team
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Stokes scored unbeaten 108 and 73 for Durham in consecutive 50‑over matches. (Durham domestic 50‑over competition performances.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Andrew McDonald believes Ben Stokes could be persuaded to return for the next Ashes. (McDonald said he would not be surprised if Stokes came back for next year’s series.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] A new England head coach could have a conversation with Stokes about returning. (McDonald’s comments on potential discussions with the new coach.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] McDonald is preparing Australia for upcoming Tests against Bangladesh in Darwin and other fixtures. (McDonald’s remarks on Australia’s schedule.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ben Stokes played 122 Test matches and was part of England’s 2015 Ashes‑winning side. (Stokes' career statistics and 2015 Ashes involvement.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ben Stokes retired from Test cricket after England’s series loss to New Zealand. (Ben Stokes retirement followed the third and deciding Test versus New Zealand.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] England currently sit seventh in the ICC World Test Championship standings. (ICC rankings cited by McDonald.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] McDonald described Stokes’ possible return as a “fairytale”. (McDonald’s quote on the scenario.)