Rob Key on Ben Stokes reversing retirement for Ashes 2027: Anything is possible

England men’s cricket team managing director Rob Key hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Ben Stokes coming out of retirement to play in the Ashes 2027. Stokes hung up his boots during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in June, following his suspension for the second Test after being involved in a nightclub incident alongside teammate Gus Atkinson.

While the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) left both players with written warnings, Stokes announced his retirement in the aftermath of the incident, saying he was too burnt out and didn’t have any fight left in him. However, Rob Key has said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Stokes decides to come back for the Ashes.

"It would be a brilliant story if he does. He hasn't [indicated a change of heart], but I wouldn't be surprised. Anything is possible with Ben,” Key told Sky Sports News.

Key also mentioned that the management doesn’t have any grudges against Stokes following his sudden retirement.

"No, not at all. Not as far as I'm concerned,” said Key.

Following his retirement, Stokes has been playing for Durham and even slammed a century in his first outing after his farewell Test during a One-Day Cup game against Derbyshire.

While Stokes continues to ply his trade as a cricketer, the speculation around his Ashes return is likely to stay. Meanwhile, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald feels that Ashes 2027 at home could well be the fairytale ending for Stokes' illustrious career and could also serve as a great promotion for the series.

"I don't know. I think the fairy tale would be that he comes back out of retirement and takes on one more Ashes and builds a lot of hype on the way in. So, if you're looking at promoting that series, that's probably the angle that you would want: that he comes out of retirement,” McDonald told SEN.

McDonald also mentioned that Stokes still has a lot of good cricket left in him and left it up to England’s new coach to have a conversation with him about coming out of retirement.

Joe Root named new England Test captain

"To me, he's still got a lot of good cricket left in him. So, yeah, it'll be a fascinating watch. I think whoever the new head coach that comes in potentially has a conversation with him. We don't know why Ben left. I don't think there's been anything on the record around the definitive reason as to why. But he may have just called it a day on Test cricket, and that's it,” said McDonald.

Meanwhile, England have named their new head coach and captain ahead of the three-match Test series against Pakistan beginning on August 19. Stephen Fleming has been handed the coaching reins while Joe Root returns to lead England’s Test team after stepping down from his position in 2022.