Watch: Rob Key hints at Ben Stokes' Ashes 2027 return

The England men’s managing director, Rob Key, has hinted at Ben Stokes’ comeback in time for next year’s Ashes as he reckoned that anything would be possible with the former captain, who announced his sudden retirement from international cricket during the third Test against New Zealand last month.

Stokes noted that he was burned out and didn’t have any fight left in him after four years leading the side in red-ball cricket. On the current speculation of returning for the Ashes 2027, he said that he would be watching it in a hospitality box.

What exactly did Rob Key say about a possible Ben Stokes Ashes return?

Stokes’ immediate dream has been to give back to Durham, for whom he celebrated a century on his first outing last week during the One-day Cup games that clash with the opening day of The Hundred 2026.

Watch Rob Key's interview on Stokes' return in the Ashes 2027-

“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. We haven't got round to that at the moment, but it would be a great story.” Key revealed in a recent interaction.

The Australian head coach, Andrew McDonald, on SEN, was asked about the possibility of Stokes’ return for England in the 2027 Ashes, as he suggested that it would be a conversation Stephen Fleming would be looking to have.

“I don't know. I think the fairytale 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.” Australia's McDonald noted.

Ben Stokes' shock retirement after the New Zealand Test, explained

Stokes announced his retirement a day before the end of the third Test against the Kiwis at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, as the announcement came in between his over, which gave a wicket to celebrate for the team-mates and the fans.

“I'll never begrudge any moment where I've captained the team and walked the team out. But there's another side to it all which people don't see, people don't understand. Only people close to those people [captains] can really see it.” Stokes addressed.

“The whole Lord's Test, I guess, brought back some negative feelings about where I was in my career. I've worked so hard from getting back home [from Australia] to try and make things right.” The former captain revealed.