{"id":184754,"date":"2026-06-23T18:04:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T23:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184754"},"modified":"2026-06-23T18:04:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T23:34:24","slug":"england-coach-mccullum-denies-rift-with-good-friend-stokes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184754","title":{"rendered":"England coach McCullum denies rift with \u2018good friend\u2019 Stokes"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

England coach Brendon McCullum has denied his relationship with Ben Stokes was damaged by the nightclub controversy that forced the captain into exile for the second Test defeat against New Zealand.<\/p>\n

Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped after breaking a midnight curfew in an incident at a London nightclub following England\u2019s first Test win at Lord\u2019s.<\/p>\n

McCullum said he was concerned and worried about Stokes in the aftermath of the all-rounder\u2019s late-night antics, which sparked suggestions he might be stripped of the captaincy or retire from international duty.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ | England docked 12 WTC points for slow over rate in Oval Test against New Zealand<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

The pair were largely cleared in two subsequent investigations, receiving only a written warning from the England and Wales Cricket Board for breaking \u201cspecific contractual obligations\u201d.<\/p>\n

Two unprovoked attacks on Atkinson in the nightclub occurred when Stokes was elsewhere, while the Cricket Regulator ruled there was insufficient evidence against them to justify further punishment.<\/p>\n

McCullum had declined the opportunity to publicly back Stokes while the probe took place, leading to renewed speculation over the pair\u2019s bond after a dismal Ashes defeat in Australia that was marred by drinking controversy surrounding England\u2019s players.<\/p>\n

\"McCullum<\/p>\n
McCullum said he was concerned and worried about Stokes in the aftermath of the all-rounder\u2019s late-night antics, which sparked suggestions he might be stripped of the captaincy or retire from international duty.
\n | Photo Credit:
\n REUTERS\n <\/p>\n

\"lightbox-info\"\/<\/figcaption><\/div>\n

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McCullum said he was concerned and worried about Stokes in the aftermath of the all-rounder\u2019s late-night antics, which sparked suggestions he might be stripped of the captaincy or retire from international duty.
\n | Photo Credit:
\n REUTERS\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

England slumped to a heavy second Test defeat in the absence of their skipper and one of their key fast bowlers.<\/p>\n

But Stokes and Atkinson are back in the squad for the third Test, which starts in Nottingham on Thursday, and trained with their team-mates at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

And McCullum claimed he is still on good terms with Stokes after a lengthy chat prior to England\u2019s net session.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had a good catch-up with him this morning, an hour and a bit talking, and he was outstanding,\u201d he told reporters on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe looks ready to go, he\u2019s enthusiastic about the week and, obviously from our point of view, it\u2019s nice to have the band back together.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALSO READ | England announces squad for India T20Is; James Coles earns maiden call-up<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Asked if recent events had made their relationship more tense, McCullum said: \u201cNot at all. We talked about that this morning. I said \u2018do you know where this has come from, the conversations around our relationship over the last six months?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said \u2018no, I have no idea\u2019. I said to him \u2018as far I\u2019m concerned, I consider you a good friend\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously we\u2019ve been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here in English cricket.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the end, we both want what\u2019s right and what is the best for English cricket and we\u2019re crystal clear on the direction we want this team to take.\u201d<\/p>\n

Published on Jun 23, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


\n
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England coach Brendon McCullum has denied his relationship with Ben Stokes was damaged by the nightclub controversy that forced the captain into exile for the second Test defeat against New…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":184755,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-184754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image20-202026-06-23T193528.847.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":180776,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=180776","url_meta":{"origin":184754,"position":0},"title":"McCullum on Stokes after nightclub incident: \u2018I worry for him\u2019","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"England coach Brendon McCullum said his initial reaction of bewilderment and anger at Ben Stokes breaching team protocols has given way to \u201cworry and concern\u201d following the nightclub incident that has left his captain\u2019s Test future in the balance. 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