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.