{"id":184889,"date":"2026-06-24T01:12:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T06:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184889"},"modified":"2026-06-24T01:12:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T06:42:51","slug":"mccullum-backs-stokes-to-silence-critics-as-england-eyes-series-win-vs-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184889","title":{"rendered":"McCullum Backs Stokes to Silence Critics as England Eyes Series Win vs New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71140496\">England head coach Brendon McCullum has urged Ben Stokes to use the fallout from his curfew breach as motivation to inspire England to a series-clinching win in the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, starting Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped for the second Test after breaking a midnight curfew during celebrations following England\u2019s opening Test win at Lord\u2019s. The pair was later given written warnings by the England and Wales Cricket Board for breaching \u201cspecific contractual obligations\u201d but escaped further punishment.<\/p>\n<p>England missed the duo as it slumped to a 253-run defeat at The Oval, levelling the series. Both have now been recalled.<\/p>\n<p>Backing his captain, McCullum said: \u201cEveryone that has seen Ben over the course of his captaincy and worked intimately alongside him has an immense amount of respect for him, myself included.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne blemish doesn\u2019t ruin all of that. It\u2019s just a slight blip, then you move on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>McCullum also rejected suggestions that the incident had damaged his relationship with Stokes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cObviously we\u2019ve been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions here,\u201d he said. \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<p>England has not lost a home Test series of three matches or more since South Africa\u2019s triumph in 2012, and defeat would intensify scrutiny on the Stokes-McCullum partnership following last year\u2019s disappointing Ashes campaign.<\/p>\n<p>McCullum, however, dismissed speculation over his own future.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat will be, will be. When I took this job I knew it wasn\u2019t going to be easy. You can\u2019t whinge about it when you\u2019re deep into it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a stubbornness to me as well. I\u2019m a big boy, I can get on with things.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Spinner Shoaib Bashir and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith have also returned for the third Test.<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jun 24, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/brendon-mccullum-backs-ben-stokes-third-test-new-zealand\/article71140496.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>England head coach Brendon McCullum has urged Ben Stokes to use the fallout from his curfew breach as motivation to inspire England to a series-clinching win in the third Test&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":184890,"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-184889","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\/AFP_84KJ4WX.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":183564,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=183564","url_meta":{"origin":184889,"position":0},"title":"Stokes to return as England captain for 3rd New Zealand Test &#8211; McCullum","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 21, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"en Stokes will return as England captain for next week\u2019s third and deciding Test against New Zealand in Nottingham, England head coach Brendon McCullum announced Sunday. Stokes was stood down from England\u2019s 253-run defeat by New Zealand in the second Test at the Oval for breaching a team curfew following\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2082.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2082.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2082.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2082.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2082.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":180776,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=180776","url_meta":{"origin":184889,"position":1},"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. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were dropped from the squad last\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280321367.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":184754,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184754","url_meta":{"origin":184889,"position":2},"title":"England coach McCullum denies rift with \u2018good friend\u2019 Stokes","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"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. Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped after breaking a midnight curfew in an incident at a London\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image20-202026-06-23T193528.847.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image20-202026-06-23T193528.847.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image20-202026-06-23T193528.847.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image20-202026-06-23T193528.847.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image20-202026-06-23T193528.847.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":182235,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=182235","url_meta":{"origin":184889,"position":3},"title":"ENG vs NZ: Ben Stokes to play County Championship for Durham in England absence","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Ben Stokes will play for Durham against Northamptonshire in the County Championship as he sits out of England\u2019s ongoing second Test against New Zealand after being involved in an incident in a nightclub. Full-time Test captain Stokes and Gus Atkinson were dropped from the England playing XI, with Joe Root\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Britain_England_New_Zealand_Cricket_65345.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":184076,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184076","url_meta":{"origin":184889,"position":4},"title":"Stokes and Atkinson cleared by Cricket Regulator after nightclub incident","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 22, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson will face no further action over the nightclub incident that prompted their exile from missing last week\u2019s second Test against New Zealand. The Cricket Regulator\u2019s ruling on Monday, which effectively clears the England captain and his team-mate, comes after the duo were recalled on Sunday\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":181368,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=181368","url_meta":{"origin":184889,"position":5},"title":"ENG vs NZ, 2nd Test: Joe Root says captaincy is on a \u2018game-by-game basis\u2019","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Joe Root says he is taking the England captaincy on a \u201cgame-by-game basis\u201d after replacing the exiled Ben Stokes for this week\u2019s second Test against New Zealand. With Stokes left out of the squad for the Oval clash after breaking a midnight curfew along with team-mate Gus Atkinson, Root agreed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781665659_2026-06-07T100324Z_1622928983_UP1EM670RXN6W_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-M65","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=184889"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184889\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/184890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=184889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=184889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=184889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}