23 June,2026 09:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum (Pic: AFP)
England cricket coach Brendon McCullum insists his relationship with 'good friend' and captain Ben Stokes hasn't been strained by the chaotic events of the past two weeks.
Stokes was dropped for last week's second test against New Zealand, along with fast bowler Gus Atkinson, amid an investigation that found they 'breached specific contractual obligations' on a night out after the victory in the first test at Lord's.
Stokes and Atkinson are back in the squad for the third and deciding test at Trent Bridge, starting Thursday, with the series tied at 1-1. A report in the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday said there was a rift between Stokes and the team leadership, which includes McCullum.
That was denied by McCullum, who said he had a 'great catch-up' with Stokes for more than an hour on Tuesday morning.
"He looks ready to go, enthusiastic about the week, and from our point of view it's nice to have the band back together," McCullum said.
"We've been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here in English cricket," the New Zealander added. "In the end, we both want what's right and what's best for English cricket, and we're crystal clear on the direction we want this team to take," he added.
McCullum never publicly backed captain Ben Stokes to return as captain while the investigation was ongoing and said, "I worry for him' in light of the post-first test night out that included a trip to a nightclub. Since then, Stokes has played for his county team, Durham, and hit 95."
Speaking before the match, McCullum said Stokes looked "outstanding" and "fantastic" on his return to the team and added that he was happy to work again with the England skipper.
"I think we had a process we had to go through, things needed to be ticked off, and we've arrived at this stage now, and we're excited to see him back leading us on," he stated.
England won the first test by 115 runs before New Zealand tied the series with a dominant 253-run win at The Oval. The series will now be decided when the two teams face off at Trent Bridge.
