England Men’s head coach Brendon McCullum has all but confirmed that talks are underway to switch the batting positions of all-rounder Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith as the Three Lions gear up to return to red-ball action against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
The move comes after the England skipper’s recent returns with the bat. He scored just 184 runs, averaging 18.40 during the 4-1 Ashes defeat in the previous winter, but was a reliable threat with the ball, taking 15 wickets at 25.13.
He scored his first century since 2023 in the home Test series against India in the summer of 2025. Since his takeover of Test captaincy in 2022, Stokes has been a regular feature at number 6 with the bat.
The England skipper has been recovering from an adductor issue, which he suffered during the final Ashes Test. Still, his rehab and return to action for Durham in the 2026 County Championship were delayed by a freak incident where he was struck by a ball in the nets and suffered a broken cheekbone. He eventually returned to action in May, taking the new ball on his return, and bowling first-change in the following game.
Smith, who also had a torrid Ashes with 211 runs at 23.44, has found himself in the runs in the 2026 County Championship, with 450 runs at 50.00, including two centuries, which came at number 3. Averaging over 40 in his 20 caps for the Three Lions, he is expected to slot in at number 6, with Stokes at number 7. As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the England skipper is also open to the switch as he focuses on a more bowling-heavy role.
"There are conversations we are having around switching Jamie Smith and Stokesy around. Both are brilliant players when they're at their best" McCullum confirmed, speaking at a Rothesay sponsors event, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
"They're free-flowing, when they're going well. It's how we get the best out of those two based on the group around them and what's required. That's certainly a conversation we are having. Not quite yet [decided], but more leaning towards it,” he added.
England also face a set of absences and decisions to make amid a significant shake-up following the dismal Ashes series in Australia. One of those major absences is Jofra Archer, as the speedster’s bowling workload are to be managed after his return from the IPL. Archer was at his blistering best in the IPL as the Rajasthan Royals were beaten in Qualifier 2 on May 29, with the pacer picking up 25 wickets in 16 games. McCullum stated that the decision was not up to him, as the speedster is set to miss at least the first Test.
"It's the world we live in at the moment, right? It's not really up to me whether he's available for those times or not. But one thing I do want us to have is Jofra Archer available for as much cricket as we possibly can across all three formats, for as long as we can moving forward,” he said.
McCullum further confirmed that starlet Jacob Bethell is expected to be fit to slot in at number 3 after returning early from the IPL due to a finger injury suffered while fielding. Shoaib Bashir, who was discarded ahead of the Ashes as England chose to go with Will Jacks as their spinner, is expected to slot in as the main spinner with Rehan Ahmed featuring for the Lions against South Africa A.
