NZ Level Series After Henry Dominates England on Day Five
New Zealand head coach Brendon McCullum has stated that he remains "good friends" with England captain Ben Stokes, expressing confusion over circulating rumors of a rift between them.
The two reunited on Tuesday ahead of England's crucial deciding Test against New Zealand, following Stokes' absence from the second Test due to an incident at a London nightclub.
Both McCullum and Stokes had previously dismissed suggestions of tension during the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia. McCullum has faced questions regarding their relationship during Stokes' absence.
At Trent Bridge, two days before the third Test against New Zealand, McCullum revealed that he and Stokes spoke face-to-face on Tuesday morning.
"I said: 'Do you know where this has come from, the conversations around our relationship over the last six months?'" McCullum explained.
"He said: 'No, I have no idea.' I said to him: 'As far I'm concerned, I consider you a good friend.'"
Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were made unavailable for England's heavy defeat in the second Test during an investigation into a breach of the team's midnight curfew following their victory in the first Test at Lord's.
Both were present when a member of England security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player.
They have since been cleared to rejoin the England squad for the third Test, with Stokes returning as captain.
Two days before the second Test at The Oval, McCullum held a somber media conference, expressing his "worry" and "concern" for Stokes.
However, Durham's county head coach Ryan Campbell later stated that Stokes was in "good spirits," and the county's chief executive Tim Bostock described McCullum's comments as "bemused."
Brendon McCullum is contracted to England until after the 2027 World Cup scheduled for October and November.
On Tuesday, McCullum said:
"My assessment was that I was slightly concerned, worried, now my assessment is that he looks great and is ready to go.
He looks fantastic, he looks ready to go, he's enthusiastic about the week and obviously from our point of view it's nice to have the band back together.
It's been a real privilege for me over the past four years to work in intimate detail and as a partnership alongside Ben. I look back on that fondly about how tight we were as a group and how tight we were as a pair. Anything outside of that, it's not really up to us. Ben and I are tight."
England trained in Nottingham on Tuesday afternoon, starting the session with Stokes and McCullum embracing. They engaged in discussions with selector Marcus North, with England due to announce their team later that day.
During his absence from the England team, Stokes played two days of Durham's County Championship match against Northamptonshire.
The 35-year-old's score of 95 at Chester-le-Street was his highest in any cricket since last July.
"I thought he batted brilliantly," said McCullum. "He actually texted me saying 'have you seen the highlights?'
I said I had, and he said: 'I'm back.'"
Following the events surrounding the defeat at The Oval, England once again face pressure regarding their on-field performance and off-field conduct.
Stokes, McCullum, and director of cricket Rob Key were all supported following the heavy loss in Australia.
However, with the series now level at 1-1 after two matches, England risk losing another series—they have won only two of their past nine Tests.
A series defeat against New Zealand would be only their second at home since 2014, the other being a loss to New Zealand in 2021. England have not lost a home series of at least three Tests since their defeat by South Africa 14 years ago.
McCullum commented on leadership during challenging times:
"Anyone can lead when it's easy. The true account of a leader or leadership group is to be able to lead when times are difficult.
I remember talking to Eoin Morgan after 2015 World Cup, and you know how close I am with him. He came to me and asked me: 'What do you think I should do?'
I said: 'Tough times don't last, but tough blokes do.' And I think it's no different - you've got to be prepared to go through some tough times knowing that if you're able to navigate through that, and hold the fort and hold your nerve, then there's some good stuff to come."
McCullum also addressed the terms of England's midnight curfew, acknowledging some "ambiguity" following the defeat at The Oval.
The curfew was introduced after several off-field controversies during the Ashes.
Although the incident involving Stokes and Atkinson occurred after the first Test had ended, England maintained the curfew was still in effect.
However, Rob Key revealed Atkinson claimed to be unaware the curfew was in operation.
McCullum stated:
"It's very well documented now the point around not just the curfew but our standards around protocols and all those sorts of things.
Time and place is important to be able to enjoy yourself and we'll always try to encourage that.
But excess is not what we're after and when mistakes are made you need to make sure you iron them out and then we move forward as a team. That's where we're at at the moment."
The 'Band is Back Together' in Pivotal Week for Stokes, McCullum & England - Analysis
What a difference a week makes.
Before the second Test at The Oval, the mood in Brendon McCullum's media conference was somber. He declined multiple opportunities to support Ben Stokes as an England player and captain, and his comments of "worry and concern" sparked various conspiracy theories.
At Trent Bridge, McCullum was optimistic, referring to Stokes as his "good friend" and stating they had "got the band back together."
The New Zealander revealed he had spoken to Stokes for over an hour on Tuesday morning and mentioned that Stokes would address his team before training.
When England took the field, McCullum approached Stokes directly, and the two shared a brief embrace. From that point, it was business as usual.
Stokes is scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday, marking his first public comments since shortly after the win at Lord's. At that time, he expressed eagerness to celebrate with his teammates, but what followed was a fortnight of controversy for English cricket.
During that period, England surrendered their series lead over New Zealand and now face a must-win decider. The atmosphere on Tuesday was relaxed, but it will likely change if England lose the deciding Test.
- The questions facing England after an awful fortnight
- Stokes & Atkinson 'blameless for violent conduct'
- McCullum welcomes Stokes' return as captain for third Test
