RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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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."
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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."
Root led England in Stokes' absence during the second Test against New Zealand, having previously captained the team from 2017 to 2022.
He made his Test debut in 2012 and holds several England Test records, including being their highest run-scorer on 14,114.
Root is also the second-highest Test run-scorer of all time, behind India legend Sachin Tendulkar, who tops the list with 15,921.
Key said Root was one of several candidates to succeed Stokes as captain and, following Fleming's appointment, it was decided between the pair that the batter was "the best person to do it".
"We spoke to Joe as well and his enthusiasm, the opportunity he feels to continue something that Ben [Stokes] and Brendon [McCullum] had started, to refine it, yes - he's now got one of the most experienced coaches of international players going," said Key.
"He's got one of the best coaches to work with in Stephen Fleming. I can't wait.
"There is nobody who deserves a great period more than Joe Root."
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England have not wasted summer, says Key Although his appointment was confirmed this week, Fleming will not take charge of England's Test series against Pakistan in August.
The 53-year-old will instead be in his native New Zealand with his family before travelling to the United Kingdom next month to begin preparations for England's Test tour of South Africa in December.
Sacking McCullum and the fact Fleming will not begin his role immediately has drawn criticism from some quarters, with suggestions England have wasted a summer of cricket.
However, Key said he "did not agree" with that assessment and believes England have appointment the "best two coaches going".
"You never know what might have happened if we had done it another way," added Key.
England, under McCullum and white-ball captain Harry Brook, recently became the number one ranked T20 side in the world after their 4-0 series win over world champions India.
"That is a new generation, a year and a half into a project with Harry and Brendon," said Key.
"In the Test summer, you never know. We still have plenty of time to come."
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