England director of men’s cricket Rob Key says he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Ben Stokes came out of international retirement at some stage, adding “anything is possible”.
Former captain Stokes, 35, announced his decision to retire from international cricket during England’s third Test defeat by New Zealand in June.
Stokes missed the second Test of that 2-1 series loss while an investigation took place into an incident at a London nightclub after he breached the team’s midnight curfew.
The all-rounder, who was subsequently found blameless for the incident, said the controversy had “added” to his thoughts about calling time on his illustrious England career.
Brendon McCullum has since been sacked as Test coach and replaced by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, with Joe Root succeeding Stokes as skipper.
Key said the door remains open for Stokes to return for next summer’s home Ashes series against Australia – although he has received no indication that he intends to reverse his decision.
“It would be a brilliant story if he does,” Key told Sky Sports News. “Anything’s possible with Ben.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the appointment of Fleming and Root’s return as Test skipper might tempt Stokes to return to the England set-up.
“Root’s difficulty will be getting a structure in his team – getting a formula without an all-rounder like Ben Stokes,” Vaughan told BBC Sport.
“And I’ll keep saying it, I just wonder over the next few months if – I’m sure Ben won’t be back in 2026 – but I just wonder if this appointment has given us a little bit of a glimmer that it may happen, that the dream may happen next year, that Ben might come back.”
Fleming can help England fulfill ‘world-class’ potential
Fleming has never previously worked as the head coach of a national team, but led Chennai Super Kings to a record five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles during his 17-year tenure.
Key said England initially narrowed the shortlist for the vacant position down to “three or four different people” – none of whom was Andy Flower – before settling on Fleming.
Former England coach Flower ruled himself out of the running to replace McCullum this month.
According to Key, the appointment of Fleming sets the wheels in motion for England to develop a “world-class team” capable of challenging Australia, and that is able to “sustain” its success.
“English cricket has had periods where we have been really good for a bit and then it falls off,” he told BBC Sport.
“We beat the sides below us and we compete against the ones above us.
“We want to create a system to make sure that English cricket not only has success, but sustains it. Fleming will bring all of that.”