Australia’s cricket coach Andrew McDonald has suggested that England all-rounder Ben Stokes could return to international competition for the next Ashes series. Stokes, 35, retired from international cricket last month but continues to play domestically, recently featuring for Durham in the One Day Cup.

Following England’s disappointing performance in the Ashes series held in Australia earlier this year, where they lost heavily, the team faces just 10 Test matches prior to the next Ashes in 2027. McDonald expressed confidence that Stokes still has competitive cricket ahead of him and could potentially make a comeback.

“The fairy tale would be that he comes back and takes on one more Ashes and builds a lot of hype on the way in,” McDonald said. He further noted that while Stokes may have concluded his international career, there remains a possibility that a new England head coach could persuade him to return.

Stokes’ involvement in domestic cricket continues to draw significant interest. Durham’s fixture against Yorkshire in the One Day Cup at York has already sold out, underscoring the player’s ongoing appeal.

As England prepares for its rebuilding phase ahead of the 2027 Ashes, McDonald’s remarks highlight the potential for experienced players like Stokes to influence the team’s fortunes in future contests. However, any return would depend on Stokes’ personal decisions and the direction taken by England’s cricket leadership.