Stokes backs McCullum but accepts England need fresh approach

SYDNEY, Jan 8 : Ben ‌Stokes says he wants to carry on as England captain and has backed coach Brendon McCullum despite concluding the Ashes series with a 4-1 defeat to Australia.

England lost the fifth and final test of a deeply disappointing series at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday and the loss will do little to dampen the criticism of the way the team approached the campaign.

In particular, critics have pointed the finger at the high-risk "Bazball" approach to the game along with questions about the levels of preparation for the tour, which saw England quickly fall to an insurmountable 3-0 deficit.

The 34-year-old all-rounder, though, said he wanted to remain skipper for the upcoming home test series against New Zealand and Pakistan.

"(I’m) definitely, keen as anything to carry on," he told reporters.

"I love having a challenge thrown ‌at me and at the moment the challenge is getting the team back to where we once were in terms ‌of the performances that we were delivering."

Asked about McCullum's position, Stokes gave his full backing to the New Zealander, who has a contract until after the 2027 home series against the Australians and said he expected him to remain in his role.

"I do expect him to be (in charge) but again it's not my decision," he said. "I'm sure if it ever ... comes to it, I'll be asked my opinion and he'll be getting my full support and backing.

"I absolutely love working with Baz. He's a great man and he's a very, very good coach. You know there's more that goes on behind the scenes than he'll ever give away and than he'll ever let out."

Critics, such as former England captain Michael Vaughan, ‍have said that McCullum will need to accept that his approach has failed and agree to a different style for