Rob Key has backed Stephen Fleming and Joe Root to revive England's Test team, saying he would not be surprised if Ben Stokes is tempted out of retirement.
Speaking at Lord's, the ECB's managing director of men's cricket said Fleming and returning captain Root were the best people to take the side forward after a turbulent summer that saw Stokes walk away and Brendon McCullum axed as red-ball coach.
Asked if Stokes could return, Key said: "I wouldn't be surprised. Anything's possible with Ben." He added that no bridges had been burned.
Fleming, 53, will take a break before joining the squad in September, missing the Pakistan series. Key insisted that was not a problem, saying: "My job is to get the best person. It wasn't a stipulation for any of the candidates that you had to be there for Pakistan."