Ben Stokes believes it is a "massive overstatement" to say he and England head coach Brendon McCullum are not aligned in their goals for the Test side.
England endured a difficult winter, losing 4-1 in the Ashes, coming under fire for their lack of preparation, attacking tactics and behaviour off the field.
Criticism of McCullum, who is also head coach for the white-ball teams, grew following their exit from the T20 World Cup at the semi-final stage.
Reports of a rift between Stokes and McCullum had emerged, claiming the two were no longer aligned in plans for the team.
Stokes has rubbished those rumours, insisting he and McCullum have a healthy working relationship.
"When you're in a position of leadership with someone else, if anyone thinks you're always
going to agree on everything, then it's just impossible," Stokes told the ECB.
"To me, that isn't a healthy environment for sport, where everyone just agrees with everyone or says yes to the person up there. You need debate. You need discussions. Then you end up getting to the place you both want to reach.
"As similar as me and Brendon are, we're also dissimilar in other areas. But the thing we both want is to be as successful as we possibly can.
"Agreeing on every single thing is impossible. Saying we weren't aligned is a massive overstatement. "
Ben Stokes Brendon McCullum pic.twitter.com/bfcBjI0zBW
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 14, 2026
Stokes and McCullum were seen as the right leadership duo to take the England Test side forward after a recent review.
They will face New Zealand and Pakistan this summer in a three-match series, while they will travel to South Africa in December.
"With what me and Brendon have been able to achieve with the group over a four‑year period, I just couldn't imagine doing what we're trying to do with anyone else," Stokes added.
"We're both very proud men in what we do. We put a lot of our heart and soul into this job.
"Brendon certainly has for the four years he's done it so far, and hopefully we'll still be together at the end of 2027, winning what we want to win. "
