Butcher questions England captain Stokes’ move to number seven ahead of Tests against NZ Former England batter Mark Butcher has raised concerns over England captain Ben Stokes’ decision to drop to number seven in the batting order for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s. Butcher also expressed confusion over pacer Jofra Archer’s absence following his IPL 2026 participation. The Test is scheduled to begin on June 10, with subsequent matches at The Oval on June 17 and Trent Bridge on June 25. Butcher criticized Stokes’ shift to number seven, noting that the captain has batted at that position only 17 times in 216 Test innings, compared to 131 appearances at number six. His batting performance has declined since the 2023 Ashes, with an average of 28.17 from 23 matches, including just one century and seven half-centuries. On the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, Butcher questioned the rationale behind the move, suggesting it might be linked to Stokes’ potential role as a bowler. “I don’t understand why he needs to drop down to seven,” Butcher said. “I wonder whether that’s a move because Stokes has decided, ‘I’m our best bowler, I’m going to take the new ball.’ That to me is a viable and valid option as far as the guys we’ve got.” He drew a parallel to Ian Botham’s career in the 1980s, when the all-rounder often batted at number five and opened the bowling in Tests. Butcher argued that Stokes’ presence at number six would better support the team’s batting lineup. “Why does he need to drop down to seven?” Butcher added. “When he is playing well, in terms of skill and temperament, he provides a perfect ballast to the more dashing players around the order. You’ve got Joe Root, who will play at a regular tempo. We don’t know what Emilio Gay is going to do, so Root at No.#ipl_2026 #ben_stokes #jofra_archer #lord_s #mark_butcher
England to Swap Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith in Batting Order for Upcoming Test Against New Zealand Ben Stokes is set to move down the batting order to No. 7 in England’s lineup for the first Test against New Zealand next week, with wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith replacing the England captain at No. 6. The decision, confirmed by head coach Brendon McCullum, reflects Stokes’ declining effectiveness with the bat and his growing emphasis on bowling as an allrounder. Stokes’ recent performance in the 4-1 Ashes series highlighted his struggles, with an average of 18.40 and a strike rate of 36.58, while he remained England’s most consistent seamer, taking 15 wickets at 25.13. McCullum emphasized that the swap is part of a broader strategy to optimize the team’s batting order, acknowledging both players’ strengths when they are at their peak. “There are conversations we are having around switching Jamie Smith and Stokesy around,” McCullum said at a sponsors event. “Both are brilliant players when they’re at their best. They’re free-flowing, when they’re going well. It’s how we get the best out of those two based on the group around them and what’s required. That’s certainly a conversation we are having. Not quite yet [decided], but more leaning towards it.” Stokes, who has been preparing for a larger role with the ball for his county, Durham, after months of rehabilitation, will retain the final say on the swap. Despite Smith’s struggles against Australia—where he scored 211 runs at 23.44—he remains a valuable asset to the team. Smith averages 41.48 across 20 caps and has shown strong form since joining the side in 2024. His recent performances in the County Championship, including two centuries at No. 3 for Surrey, and 450 runs at 50.00 leading into the Vitality Blast, underscore his potential.#new_zealand #england #brendon_mccullum #ben_stokes #jamie_smith
Cult or culture? McCullum comes full circle following Ashes review England’s cricket team faces a critical reckoning as the fallout from their disastrous Ashes campaign in Australia continues. Brendon McCullum, the head coach, has led the squad to 26 Test victories in 46 matches, but his tenure has been overshadowed by the team’s recent struggles. The final act of a traditional England away Ashes series is set to unfold, with the team hounded by media scrutiny and public criticism after a series of losses. The review process, scheduled to take place at Lord’s in the spring, will see administrators and key figures within the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) address the failures and outline plans for improvement. The review, described by ECB chief executive Richard Gould as a necessary step, has taken on a different tone this time. Unlike past instances where such reviews often led to sweeping changes, including sackings and restructuring, this one will focus on introspection rather than blame. Gould and director of cricket Rob Key have emphasized the need for collective accountability, acknowledging that the team’s shortcomings were not solely the fault of county cricket or the domestic structure. Instead, the emphasis is on internal reflection and collaboration to address the issues that plagued the Ashes campaign. The problems identified include a lack of depth in the coaching staff, poor preparation, and an overly relaxed approach that failed to match the intensity of the Australian side. McCullum, who has been criticized for not adhering to a consistent method, and captain Ben Stokes, whose on-field performance has waned, are central to the discussion.#brendon_mccullum #rob_key #richard_gould #england_and_wales_cricket_board #ben_stokes
