Nick Hoult

Ben Stokes says young group ‘getting Test matches under their belt will put us in a much stronger position to go out to Australia and win the Ashes' - Sanka Vidanagama/Getty Images

The former England cricketer has become embroiled in controversy over the comment during the third Test.

BBC presenter and former England cricketer Isa Guha was embroiled in a race controversy after describing Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah as a “primate” while working for Fox Sports in Australia.

BBC presenter and former England cricketer Isa Guha was embroiled in a race controversy after describing Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah as a “primate” while working for Fox Sports in Australia.

England signed off 2024 with a chastening 423-run defeat against New Zealand in Hamilton, with injured captain Ben Stokes not fit enough to go down with the ship.

nick hoult Ollie Pope suddenly has real competition for the No 3 berth - Getty Images/Hannah Peters

If you are already thinking about the Ashes, you can be sure the England hierarchy are too – our team have go at selecting the first Test XI

Ben Stokes spent most of the day on the treatment table having his hamstring iced as the England captain’s robustness as a Test match all-rounder once again became a major concern.

Ben Stokes looked ahead to 2025 and vowed “I ain’t holding back” as his team prepares for the series against India and Australia that will define his captaincy.