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'More Relaxed': Alastair Cook Concerned Over Ben Stokes, McCullum's Laid Back Attitude

Akshita Patel

Alastair Cook against Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum's approach [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @doncricket_/X.com]Alastair Cook against Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum's approach [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @doncricket_/X.com]

England were eliminated in the group stages of Champions Trophy 2025, and this resulted in a massive amount of criticism. Former English great Alastair Cook, in particular, questioned Ben Stokes' and coach Brendon McCullum's laid back attitude.

England, led by Jos Buttler, failed to secure a single victory, finishing at the bottom of their group with zero points, a humiliating low for a team that once dominated white-ball cricket.

This rare failure has got critics questioning the team’s approach towards white-ball cricket.

Alastair Cook unimpressed with Stokes, McCullum

England’s shocking winless campaign in the Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked widespread criticism, with former captain Alastair Cook being the latest to question the team's relaxed approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. 

“All my preparation was done leading up to it, I hit a lot of balls. I see the set-up now with Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes and it's a lot more relaxed. I'm not sure how much I would have enjoyed that relaxedness," Cook said on ‘Load of BS on Sport' podcast.

Cook, England's most successful batter, complained about the relaxed training regimes of the team, implying that effort and strict preparation were being undervalued.

“I liked, I suppose with Goochy (Graeme Gooch), hit lots of balls, and if you're in form hit even more balls because you don't want to waste that rhythm. Andy Flower was constantly improving, always working."

Cook, who played during Andy Flower's disciplinarian coaching regime, noted how players of his time were always challenged to do better.

Jos Buttler Resigns As England’s White-Ball Captain

In a dramatic but not unexpected decision, Jos Buttler has resigned as England's white-ball captain after the team's disastrous performance in the Champions Trophy 2025.

While having guided England to their record T20 World Cup victory in 2022, Buttler has not been able to carry forward that success into ODI and T20I cricket, and England's latest winless tour was the nail in the coffin.

England's dismal performance in the Champions Trophy included back-to-back losses, which placed them at the bottom of their group with a score of zero.