Brendon McCullum admits he is “worried” about Ben Stokes after the nightclub incident that led to the England captain being dropped for the second Test against New Zealand.
Stokes was left out of the squad at the Kia Oval after he and seamer Gus Atkinson breached a midnight curfew following the series opener at Lord’s, with an incident involving a Saracens rugby player attracting an internal investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
McCullum was speaking about Stokes for the first time since the incident at a nightclub following the first Test victory against New Zealand, which also led to Atkinson being dropped.
There were suggestions that Stokes would resign or even retire in the immediate aftermath but, with no public reaction from the 35-year-old as it stands, McCullum repeatedly focused on Stokes’ welfare.
Speaking on Monday, McCullum said his duty of care came before disciplinary matters or the viability of Stokes’ reign as skipper continuing.
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England head coach Brendon McCullum is questioned on whether his side have a ‘problem’, with it now being six players involved in alcohol related incidents in the last few months
Asked if the incident was serious enough for Stokes to lose the captaincy, McCullum said: “When I first found out, I was slightly bewildered. You go through a range of emotions.
“You go from being bewildered, to angry, to gutted. From the progress that we talked about and discussed over these six months, and what we’re trying to do and the improvements we want to make, which includes the standards we set for ourselves.
“To hear about this was incredibly gutting,” he said of the episode at a Chelsea nightspot.
He added: “Quickly through talking to Ben and Gus, my emotion turned to worry and concern – for Ben in particular – and how we support these guys.
“That’s not overlooking the fact they haven’t lived up to the standards we set for ourselves.”
Asked if he was encouraged by Stokes’ appearance in training with Durham over recent days, and the word that he is ready to play for the county against Northamptonshire on Friday, McCullum took a deep breath and a seven-second pause.
“I’m worried about Ben. That’s it,” he said. “I’ll leave it at that.”
What do New Zealand make of England troubles?
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New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra is asked about his thoughts on England’s problems off the pitch
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was asked about his thoughts on England’s problems off the pitch.
The 26-year-old said: “We’re just focused on us. Obviously we know Baz [McCullum] well but we’re focusing on our cricket. No curfew, but I can’t really comment on anything going on with England and I haven’t been involved in the environment so just been firmly focused on us.”
Four changes to England’s XI
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Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discuss the impact of James Rew in the County Championship and if he is an England Test match candidate
McCullum also revealed four changes to England’s XI for the Test at The Oval, starting on Wednesday – live on Sky Sports – with Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker making their Test debuts.
Matthew Fisher and Jofra Archer are also included, while James Rew will make his debut if Jamie Smith is unable to play as he awaits the birth of his child.
England XI to play New Zealand: Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith/James Rew, Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker.
“James Rew was our back-up batter in the squad, but that was very much to cover the top-six role,” McCullum said.
“Jordan Cox, he obviously was over at the IPL. We wanted to see him come back and see what he could do before we thrust him into that role for the first time.
“He scored a double-hundred, which is a pretty compelling case. We think that his power and his rounded game is quite a nice fit at No 7. We still very much see James Rew as an exciting option for us – and he may even get the nod this week, too – but Coxy’s a fine player. He’s been on our radar for a long time across all formats.”
England’s four-man seamer attack have won only 29 previous Test caps between them as McCullum looks to rebuild the depth of fast-bowling since the retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
“We knew we wanted to build a battery of fast bowlers,” McCullum said. “I look at that line-up we have this week and it’s super exciting. It doesn’t guarantee us success, but it’s a first real test of where we’re at. I’m quietly confident we’re going to see some exciting cricket.”
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England managing director Rob Key gives his view on Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson following the breaking of a midnight curfew on Sunday, that led to an incident at a nightclub in Chelsea
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
- First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runs
- Second Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)
- Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
Watch the second Test of the England vs New Zealand series live on Sky Sports from June 17.
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