McCullum Ready to Collaborate with Stokes Again
England head coach Brendon McCullum has expressed his readiness to work with captain Ben Stokes when he returns for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were made unavailable for the second Test following a significant defeat, pending an investigation into an incident that took place in a London nightclub.
After a 4-1 Ashes series loss marked by off-field issues, both Stokes and McCullum denied any deterioration in their relationship during the tour in Australia.
Subsequently, after England's victory in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's—their first since the Ashes—Stokes breached the team's midnight curfew while celebrating the win.
The investigation's findings have yet to be announced, but McCullum told BBC Test Match Special that he expects both Stokes and Atkinson to be available for the match in Nottingham, with Stokes resuming his role as captain.
Regarding his relationship with Stokes, McCullum stated:
"You're just trying to make sure you're very communicative right throughout.
We all got the same ambition, which is to make English cricket a very good team and to try to achieve results on the field, and that hasn't changed."
McCullum also revealed that he has been in daily contact with Stokes since the nightclub incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, 8 June.
Additionally, the New Zealander confirmed that England's director of cricket, Rob Key, has visited Stokes this week.
- Chaotic England fortnight ends with huge defeat
- Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games
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