‘He's still got a lot of good cricket left in him’ - Andrew McDonald opens up on Ben Stokes' possible Ashes return after Test retirement

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald believes there is still a possibility of Ben Stokes making a sensational return to Test cricket ahead of the 2027 Ashes, suggesting England's next head coach could attempt to convince the former captain to reverse his retirement.

England are currently going through a major transition following the retirement of Stokes from Test cricket and the departure of head coach Brendon McCullum. The team is now searching for a new captain and coach after a difficult run that has seen them lose seven of their last nine Tests.

Despite Stokes stepping away from the longest format, McDonald feels the England all-rounder still has plenty to offer and believes a comeback cannot be ruled out.

"I think the fairytale would be that he comes back out of retirement and takes on one more Ashes and builds a lot of hype on the way in," Australia's coach told radio station SEN.

McDonald added that Stokes' experience and quality could tempt England's incoming coach to hold discussions over a potential comeback.

"If you're looking at promoting that series, that's probably the angle that you would want, that he comes out of retirement. To me, he's still got a lot of good cricket left in him. It'll be a fascinating watch. I think that whoever the new head coach that comes in potentially has a conversation with him.”

McDonald acknowledged that Australia are closely following England's developments, although he stressed that the situation remains uncertain because the reasons behind Stokes' retirement have not been fully explained publicly.

"We don't know why Ben left, I don't think there's been anything on the record around the definitive reason as to why. He may have just called it a day on Test cricket and that's it, so there might be a full stop there. Or there might be an opportunity for that new head coach to potentially twist his arm and bring him back in."

While discussing the uncertainty surrounding England, McDonald also praised Stokes for the impact he has had on Test cricket throughout his career.

"But if it ends now, he's had a wonderful career in terms of what he's brought to the game, his impact in certain innings and moments in time. It will age pretty well for him to look back on," he concluded.

England's first assignment in the post-Stokes and post-McCullum era will be a three-Test home series against Pakistan starting on 19th August.