Ben Stokes ready to return to England ODI squad under McCullum | Ben Stokes

England Test captain Ben Stokes would be willing to return to the white-ball line-up under their new coach Brendon McCullum if asked. However, he added that there have been no discussions about a return to limited-overs teams.

McCullum’s appointment as head coach of all formats comes after a two-year period in which England had separate coaches for the white- and red-ball teams and follows Matthew Mott’s departure as limited-overs coach in July. The New Zealander will take charge of the limited-overs teams when England tour India in January.

Stokes has been a key part of the Test side since McCullum took charge in May 2022, but has featured sparingly for England’s white-ball teams. He retired from one-day internationals before returning for last year’s ODI World Cup and last played a Twenty20 international in the World Cup final in November 2022.

“I’ve played a lot of white-ball cricket for England and I’m really happy and pleased with what I’ve achieved in that form of the game,” Stokes told Sky Sports. “If I get called up to come and play then of course it’s definitely a yes. But I won’t be too disappointed if I don’t – it means I can just sit back and watch everyone else go and have a crack at it. Baz (McCullum) and I haven’t talked about anything like that at all.”

Stokes has been out of action since tearing his left hamstring while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred last month. The 33-year-old said his rehabilitation was going well and he would undergo a scan on Wednesday.

“As far as bowling goes, I’ve got to get a lot more than just my hamstring working again – you use everything,” he added. “I’ve got to get all that right to make sure I don’t do any more damage to other parts of my body.”