Former England captain Ben Stokes has expressed his desire to become the team's coach after retiring from the game, citing his existing coaching qualifications and experience as England's skipper.
Stokes retired from international cricket in June, following a remarkable career that included England's 2019 ODI World Cup triumph and a match-winning innings in the Ashes Test at Headingley.
He has already started working towards his coaching career by taking up a coaching course, aiming to have all his qualifications signed off before his retirement.
'I want to be a coach,' Stokes said, highlighting his passion for the role. 'I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely.'
Stokes believes his experience of leading the national side has prepared him for a coaching role, citing his ability to make big decisions.
'I would do a pretty good job at it because now I have an understanding of responsibility on the shoulders,' he said. 'I don't actually mind making big decisions.'
The former England captain has already started to think about his post-playing career, recognizing the importance of having his qualifications in place before his retirement.
Stokes is currently working on his Level 3 coaching qualification, which he hopes to complete while he is still playing.
'I'm doing my Level 3 coaching now while I'm still playing, because I want, when the day comes that I'm not playing any more, I'd love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done,' he explained.
In addition to his coaching ambitions, Stokes also expressed his support for England's white-ball captain Harry Brook, who he believes has the potential to be a great leader.
'If you think someone is going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them (the opportunity),' Stokes said, referencing Brook's appointment as vice-captain.
Stokes recalled his surprise at Brook not being asked to lead the Test side when he missed a match against New Zealand.
'Brook was made vice-captain. Even when I missed that Test match (against New Zealand), I was like, 'Why is Brook vice-captain?''
The former England captain acknowledged the reasoning behind the decision, but felt it sent the wrong signal to Brook.
'I understood the reasoning behind it, but I was still thinking, what message does that send to him? He's vice-captain, and the captain isn't playing, but he's still not captain. What does that say?'
Source: Yahoo Sports