England in Pakistan: Ben Stokes backs struggling batters after series defeat

The backing of Pope is a familiar trait of Stokes and McCullum’s tenure, with a number of batters, notably opener Zak Crawley, retained despite a run of low scores.

Crawley repaid England by averaging 53.33 in last year’s Ashes series but has not managed a century since.

He is viewed as a player who could perform well in Australia, where England travel for the next Ashes series in the winter of 2025-26.

Stokes denied the current top six are certain of their place when the Ashes begins but was firm in their defence.

“You can’t shut the door on everything,” he said. “Then you are being single-minded towards what you want to do.

“But back to what I said before, there is no doubt in my mind that we have the best top six batsmen in England.”

England are guaranteed to make one change to their batting line-up in New Zealand, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith expected to miss part or all of the series for the birth of his first child.

Essex wicketkeeperJordan Cox is in line to take Smith’s place and he could put further pressure on Pope with a good series.

Stokes himself struggled in Pakistan, with a top score of 37 across four innings. He was bizarrely dismissed lbw playing no shot as England’s slump continued in Rawalpindi.

“I am always trying to evolve and adapt whether against spin or pace,” he said.

“The disappointment is always there, it always hits hard, but when you have so much experience to fall back on it is a little bit easier to take.”