Defiant Ben Stokes issues X-rated message after England captaincy decision confirmedBen Stokes' role as England captain was part of an ECB review following the recent Ashes debacle, as were the futures of head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob KeyView Image Ben Stokes will stay on as England Test captain (Image: Philip Brown/Getty Images)A defiant Ben Stokes issued an expletive-laden statement after it was confirmed that he'd remain as England Test captain. ‌On Monday, Stokes took to Instagram to post an impassioned message, admitting that time since the Ashes has been 'without a doubt been the hardest period of his captaincy'. "Being England captain is the greatest honour a player can be given and I do not take it for granted. "I F*****G love cricket, I F*****G love this team, I F*****G love being England captain and I have got so much more to give to this role and I'm so happy that I get to do it with Baz and Rob. Article continues belowThis summer, England will host New Zealand (June) and Pakistan (August and September) for three Test matches each.

Source: Daily Mirror March 24, 2026 09:20 UTC