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England captain Ben Stokes will be "hurting" after the series defeat in Pakistan, according to coach Brendon McCullum.
After winning the first Test, England lost the next two to lose the series 2-1, marking the first time they've been beaten in a three-match series after going 1-0 up. Stokes, who had been out for two months due to a hamstring injury, missed the first Test but returned for the last two. However, he struggled, managing only 53 runs in four innings and failing to take a wicket in the 10 overs he bowled.
"He's disappointed, but he's our skipper, and we know he's tough," McCullum said. "He'll make sure he'll come back. It's our job to wrap our arms around him and help him along the way."
Stokes has faced fitness challenges over the past couple of years. Throughout much of 2023, his bowling was limited by a long-term left knee issue. After undergoing surgery in November that year, he was able to return as a full all-rounder during the home summer, only to injure his hamstring while playing in The Hundred in August.
The 33-year-old missed four Tests, including the first match of the Pakistan series, which England won. Upon his return, he struggled on a recycled pitch in Multan, and particularly in the series decider in Rawalpindi. Stokes managed just 15 runs in two innings and did not bowl. His captaincy was unusually passive as Pakistan's Saud Shakeel hit a century to put the hosts in control. In England's second innings, Stokes was dismissed lbw without playing a shot to spinner Noman Ali.
England were eventually bowled out for 112, their lowest total in Pakistan, leading to a nine-wicket defeat.
"He is disappointed, naturally," McCullum added. "We all know how competitive and driven the skipper is. He'll be hurting right now with how the series has unfolded. That injury was quite significant. He had to put in a lot of graft, and subconsciously, maybe you're not quite as sharp in decision-making. That's natural."
England have a short turnaround before their next tour, a three-Test series in New Zealand starting at the end of November. The squad is set to be announced soon, with few changes expected. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is likely to be replaced, possibly by a batter or a wicketkeeper, to cover for Jamie Smith, who will miss part or all of the tour for the birth of his first child.
The first Test will take place in Christchurch, the city where Stokes was born before moving to the UK at age 12.
"He'll be better for the run, no doubt," said McCullum, a native New Zealander. "It will be a couple of weeks off, freshen up, and back to conditions more similar to England. It's another opportunity for us."