Brendon McCullum has expressed his worry over Ben Stokes after the incident that saw him dropped for the second Test against New Zealand – and said now is not the time to discuss his future as England Test captain.
Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been left out of the squad at the Oval this week as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Regulator investigating the pair breaching curfew after Test victory at Lord’s.
The pair were involved in an incident at a Chelsea nightclub and have been stood down for the second Test, with Joe Root standing in as captain.
Explaining that he had progressed through a range of emotions after learning of the incident, which occurred in the early hours of last Monday, England head coach McCullum repeatedly stressed his concern for his skipper having worked closely with Stokes over the last four years.
“When I first found out, I was slightly bewildered, if I am being honest,” McCullum admitted. “You go through a range of emotions from bewildered to angry to kind of gutted after the progress we had discussed over the last six months, and some of the improvements we were trying to make which includes the standards we want to set for ourselves. To hear about this was incredibly gutting, I guess.
“Very quickly through talking to Ben, and also Gus, my overall emotion turned to worry and concern for Ben in particular. Since then it has been about how we support these guys, without overlooking the fact that they have not lived up to the standards we have set for ourselves. We’ll deal with that in time through a process. For me, it is very much how we support these guys, and especially Ben.”
McCullum confirmed that England will hand debuts to batter Jordan Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker at the Oval, with the latter part of a four-pronged seam attack. Cox will bat at No 7, with James Rew on standby to keep wicket as Jamie Smith awaits the arrival of his second child.
Root’s installation as skipper came ahead of vice-captain Harry Brook, who was fined by the ECB after an altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before a one-day international (ODI) in New Zealand last November.
Root led England previously in a record 64 Tests between 2017 and 2022. Explaining that it had been a collaborative decision to put the Yorkshire batter back in charge, McCullum insisted it was too soon to consider Stokes’ future as captain.
“I’ve seen Ben be an unbelievable captain,” McCullum said. “He’s helped shape this environment over the last four years and had some incredible success doing it. What will be will be down the line. Those decisions are not for now. The concern for now is making sure that Ben is fine. We need to look after him and rally round him.
“For us, our concern is with Ben and making sure we look after him. Those other things we will work out down the line. Stokesy and I have spoken every day since this incident unfolded. There have been a range of emotions, which Ben has gone through as well. I care about Ben, and I just want to make sure that we are doing the right thing by him, and ultimately the right thing by the team also.
“Again, my concern is with Ben. He’s been an outstanding leader for four years. He has put his heart, soul and energy into dealing with everything the captaincy throws at you. Particularly in this country with the scrutiny that comes with it, it has its perks but also has its challenges. I think he has done a wonderful job with that.”
Stokes had been training with Durham over the weekend amid suggestions that he may play in the County Championship later this week. McCullum conceded that he did not know if the 35-year-old all-rounder planned to feature.
“I’m worried about Ben,” McCullum responded after a long pause when asked about Stokes’ involvement at Durham. “I’m in constant communication with him. I care for him immensely.
“Whatever he is working through at the moment, it will be because it is what Ben feels is right for what he is dealing with what he is feeling at the moment. He is very entitled to make his own decisions around that stuff. If that gives him some joy and satisfaction, then that is good.”
McCullum was also uncertain at this stage of Stokes’ involvement in the third Test at Trent Bridge later this month.
England XI for second Test against New Zealand (17-22 June, The Oval): Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (capt.), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matt Fisher, Sonny Baker.
