Spectre of Stokes hangs over England at The Oval

Stokes' continued role in the revolution remains a mystery. This will be third consecutive Oval Test he has missed, following injuries in 2024 and 2025. His destiny seemed to be ending his career at this ground next year, finally with his hands on the urn as an Ashes-winning captain. The events of the past week risk leaving that fairytale unfinished. The confusing picture around Stokes' future comes not from what has been said, but what has not been said. Neither McCullum nor England director of cricket Rob Key have said Stokes will return as captain. Root did not say he wanted the job full-time, but he did not say he does not want it, either. Stokes has said nothing. It could be that all involved genuinely do not know how this will all play out. Until the results of the investigation are revealed, they cannot speculate over what might happen next. Perhaps there is a greater conflict at play, one that is no longer about who did what in a nightclub. Stokes and McCullum had previously been at pains to insist they had not fallen out during the Ashes, but it is not hard to imagine a scenario where this latest controversy has re-opened old wounds. Or do we simply take everything we have heard at face value? England's priority may simply be for Stokes' wellbeing. The 35-year-old has previously taken a break from the game for the good of his mental health and four years as England captain is enough to grind down any man, even a superman like Stokes. …