England 'leaning towards' dropping Ben Stokes down Test batting order

McCullum has suggested that the skipper will walk in at number 7, instead of 6, and will swap roles in the batting line-up with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

Stokes averaged just 18.40 with the bat in the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia but the allrounder was a constant threat with the ball, taking 15 wickets in the series.

Smith himself struggled for runs in the Ashes, scoring 211 runs at 23.44, but has enjoyed a good start to the English domestic first-class season with Surrey batting at number 3.

"There are conversations we are having around switching Jamie Smith and Stokesy around," McCullum confirmed, speaking at a 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 all but confirmed that Jacob Bethell will continue to bat at number 3 while spinner Shoaib Bashir could make a return to the XI after not being selected in all five Ashes Tests in Australia.

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