Ben Stokes delivered an expletive-laden celebration on social media after learning he would remain England’s Test captain following an official review into the disastrous Ashes campaign.
The 34-year-old took to X to express his feelings in characteristically forthright fashion.
“I F*****G love cricket, I F*****G love this team, I F*****G love being England captain and I have got so much more to give to this role and I’m so happy that I get to do it with Baz and Rob,” Stokes wrote.
The investigation into England’s 4-1 series defeat concluded that Stokes would retain his position alongside head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key.
All three have been charged with enhancing both performances and team culture ahead of the 2027 home Ashes.
England had entered the Australian tour with aspirations of claiming their first away Ashes triumph since 2011, but those ambitions crumbled within a mere 11 days of play.
The opening Test in Perth proved particularly humiliating, with Australia securing victory in just two days.
Ben Stokes delivered an expletive-laden celebration on social media after learning he would remain England’s Test captain following an official review into the disastrous Ashes campaign
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PA
Such a rapid series conclusion had not occurred since the 2002/03 tour Down Under.
The winter campaign also exposed a rift between captain and coach over tactical approach.
Stokes favoured a more conservative strategy, whilst McCullum remained convinced that the aggressive Bazball philosophy should continue.
Ben Stokes and England had a Ashes series to forget this winter
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However, the pair have since resolved their differences ahead of the summer programme.
Stokes described the preceding three months as unquestionably the most challenging period since taking on the captaincy, acknowledging the role had tested him in numerous ways.
“Being England captain is the greatest honour a player can be given and I do not take it for granted,” he stated.
The all-rounder reflected on the emotional extremes of leadership, noting it brings both joy and tears whilst consuming one’s entire existence at times.
Stokes admitted the trio had erred during the campaign but emphasised the lessons learned from setbacks.
“You learn more from failure than success,” he wrote, pledging alongside McCullum and Key to give supporters everything they have moving forward.
Brendan McCullum has kept his position as England cricket coach
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The Ashes tour was marred by incidents beyond the pitch as well.
Batter Harry Brook was reportedly struck by a bouncer after being denied entry to a nightclub during the New Zealand warm-up leg.
Meanwhile, the squad’s mid-series break in Noosa attracted criticism, with reports describing it as resembling a stag party despite the team’s poor results.
A BBC investigation alleged that multiple players consumed alcohol for four consecutive days during the break.
Despite the difficulties, England did secure one notable achievement, winning the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne by four wickets for their first Australian victory in 15 years.
Stokes signed off his message with anticipation for June’s three-match New Zealand series, followed by Pakistan visiting for another three Tests across August and September.
