India, Aug. 5 -- Ben Stokes' reported interest in playing Major League Cricket during the 2027 English summer has provided the clearest indication yet that an international comeback for next year's Ashes is highly unlikely. England managing director Rob Key recently left the door open for Stokes to reverse his retirement, saying that "anything is possible" with the former captain. However, Stokes has already insisted that he is finished with international cricket and has no plans to return for the five-Test series against Australia.

According to The Telegraph, the 35-year-old is keen to play in MLC, although it remains unclear whether negotiations with any of the six franchises have begun. Signing one of the defining cricketers of his ge...