Brendon McCullum Denies Rift With Ben Stokes Ahead Of Third Test Vs New Zealand

England head coach Brendon McCullum insisted there has been no breakdown in his relationship with returning captain Ben Stokes, saying “it’s nice to have the band back together” as Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson resumed training with their teammates at Trent Bridge on Tuesday afternoon.

McCullum said he had “a good catch-up with him this morning, an hour and a bit talking, and he was outstanding,” after Stokes and Atkinson were stood down following an incident at a London nightclub in the early hours of 8 June.

BBC

The pair were later cleared to return for the Trent Bridge Test after an investigation into an alleged breach of England’s new curfew rules following the Lord’s victory, and McCullum said he considered Stokes “a good friend.”

England’s second Test at The Oval ended in a series-levelling defeat for England, and the BBC reported Stokes missed that match after the nightclub incident and a breach of the team’s midnight curfew following victory in the first Test at Lord’s.

With the series tied at 1-1, the third and deciding Test against New Zealand begins on Thursday at Trent Bridge, where McCullum said his assessment had shifted from “slightly concerned, worried” to “he looks great and is ready to go.”

McCullum rejected suggestions of a rift and told reporters that he and Stokes “talked about that this morning,” adding “He said ‘no, I have no idea’” when asked where the speculation had come from.

The BBC said McCullum faced questions about their partnership during Stokes’ absence after the second Test at The Oval, and it noted that Durham’s county head coach Ryan Campbell later said Stokes was in “good spirits” while Tim Bostock said he was “bemused” by McCullum’s earlier comments.

BBC

Sky Sports reported that Stokes and Atkinson were cleared by the Cricket Regulator following investigations, but both were still found to have breached “contractual obligations” by forgoing the team’s midnight curfew.

McCullum also defended the pair’s working relationship by saying Stokes has “no idea” where rumours of a rift had stemmed from, while he insisted “We are good friends, we work very well together - it’s been a privilege for me to work in close conditions.”

The BBC added that at Trent Bridge, McCullum and Stokes trained together after England made five changes for the second Test, with Stokes and Atkinson among four changes for the third as England moved back towards the XI that won the first Test at Lord’s.

With England sitting level with New Zealand at 1-1 after two matches, the BBC said England are at risk of losing another series, noting they have won only two of their past nine Tests.

The BBC also said a series defeat against the Kiwis would be only their second at home since 2014, and it pointed to a loss to New Zealand in 2021 as well as the fact England have not lost a home series of at least three Tests since they were beaten by South Africa 14 years ago.

McCullum framed the moment as a test of leadership, telling reporters “Anyone can lead when it’s easy,” and adding “The true account of a leader or leadership group is to be able to lead when times are difficult.”

The Independent reported that another New Zealand win in the coming days would crank up the pressure on the regime and could bring about a first home series defeat of McCullum’s four-year reign.

As England prepare to name their team later in the day, the BBC listed the England XI for the third Test v New Zealand including Ben Stokes (captain) and Gus Atkinson, alongside Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir.