Stokes averaged 18.40 during the recent 4-1 Ashes defeat, at a low strike rate of 36.58, while also being the team’s most consistent threat as seamer, taking 15 wickets at 25.13.

As captain, Stokes will have final say on the swap and is understood to be open to the idea. Though Smith struggled against Australia – 211 runs at 23.44 – he still averages 41.48 across 20 caps having impressed since coming into the side at the start of the 2024 summer. He started the County Championship strongly with Surrey, registering two early centuries – both at No. 3 – and boasts 450 runs at 50.00 leading into the break for the Vitality Blast.

Stokes has also been preparing for a bigger role with the ball for his county, Durham, after months of rehabilitation.

Having picked up an adductor injury during the final Ashes Test in Sydney, he suffered a broken cheekbone during a freak net incident with the club’s academy in February.

“There are conversations we are having around switching Jamie Smith and Stokesy around,” McCullum confirmed, speaking at a Rothesay sponsors event “Both are brilliant players when they’re at their best.

“They’re free-flowing, when they’re going well. It’s how we get the best out of those two based on the group around them and what’s required. That’s certainly a conversation we are having.

“Not quite yet [decided], but more leaning towards it.”

McCullum confirmed that Jacob Bethell is expected to be fit to resume his role as England’s No. 3 against New Zealand, after Bethell returned early from the IPL with a finger injury.

Bashir missed out during the Ashes, with England preferring allrounder Will Jacks after they were surprised by conditions in Australia. After a promising start to the season for new county Derbyshire, playing all six of their matches and collecting 15 dismissals, the 22-year-old may reclaim the spinner’s berth for his 20th Test appearance.

It was during last year’s Lord’s Test against India that Bashir took the most-recent of his 68 Test wickets, sealing England’s victory in fortuitous fashion as Mohammed Siraj, eventually, played on to his stumps. Bashir had come back on the field after breaking the little finger on his left hand, which effectively ruled him out of the rest of the 2025 summer.