Sydney, 03 January (H.S.): England Test captain Ben Stokes issued a passionate plea to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to retain head coach Brendon McCullum despite a humiliating 3-1 Ashes deficit Down Under, insisting the revolutionary 'Bazball' philosophy—launched by the duo in 2022—remains the pathway to future success as the decisive fifth Test looms Sunday at the SCG.

Stokes, speaking ahead of Sunday's finale, categorically dismissed speculation swirling around McCullum's position after England's 11-day whitewash collapse post-arrival, conceding recent inconsistencies but vowing refinement over revolution.

The Ashes campaign—England's sternest examination since Stokes-McCullum's ultra-aggressive union reversed a 2022 winless streak—promised glory yet delivered devastation: three defeats in 11 days despite a morale-boosting Melbourne triumph ending Australia's 15-year SCG fortress.

British media quoted Stokes affirming: I have no doubt that Brendon and I are the right people to take this team forward. I don't believe anyone else could elevate us from here to greater heights. We're fully committed to continuing exactly what we're doing. He acknowledged early synergies yielding 19 wins in 26 Tests have waned, necessitating discussions to elevate players further, but rejected wholesale change.

Stokes candidly dissected the tour's psychological toll, admitting incessant media and social scrutiny proved exhausting despite prior Australian exposure: We anticipated it and prepared accordingly, but this pressure exceeded anything before.

Social media's evolution renders total detachment impossible. In characteristic levity, he quipped: My skin's thick, yet ignoring everything proves impossible. The only escape is hurling one's phone into a river—but I adore mobile gaming, so that's off the table.

McCullum, the Kiwi innovator transforming Test cricket's staid conventions since succeeding Chris Silverwood, faces scrutiny despite masterminding Stokes' fearless blueprint: declaration gambles, reverse sweeps, and perpetual acceleration yielding 11 home Ashes wins pre-tour.

England's antipodean implosion—Pat Cummins' Australians reclaiming the urn—prompted calls for recalibration, yet Stokes champions continuity, eyeing 2027's home Ashes redemption and World Test Championship glory. The ECB, balancing fan clamour against long-term vision, holds McCullum's fate as Sydney's cauldron awaits Sunday's dead rubber.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar