England Test captain Ben Stokes has released an emotional statement on Instagram following the ECB’s decision to stick with head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key.
McCullum and Key have retained their positions following an Ashes review after England suffered a 4-1 defeat by Australia over the winter.
In his direct address to England fans, Stokes admitted “the last 3 months has without a doubt been the hardest period of my captaincy journey” after reflecting on his team’s disappointing Ashes campaign.
Stokes also acknowledged “we made mistakes along the way”, but added “you learn more from failure than success”.
He concluded his statement by saying he was “so happy” to get the opportunity to continue working with McCullum and Key, as he vowed to try and make England supporters proud ahead of a return to Test action this summer.
IN FULL
ECB explains decision to stick with Brendon McCullum as England coach despite Ashes humbling