Nottingham, June 23: England is gearing up for the decisive third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Ben Stokes has returned to the team after missing the second Test at The Oval due to a breach of the midnight curfew. Meanwhile, Brendan McCullum has dismissed rumors of a rift between him and England’s captain, Stokes, asserting that they are good friends.
McCullum expressed surprise at claims suggesting their relationship had soured. Ahead of the series-deciding match, he told reporters, “I asked Stokes, ‘Do you know where these stories about our relationship have come from in the last six months?’ He replied, ‘No, I have no idea.’ I told him, ‘As far as I’m concerned, I consider you a good friend.’”
Stokes’ return is crucial for England, especially after their heavy defeat in the second Test, which saw them lose their lead in the series. Currently, the three-match series stands at 1-1.
Concerns had grown regarding the McCullum-Stokes partnership during Stokes’ absence, particularly after the England coach expressed worry about the captain before the second Test. Durham’s head coach, Ryan Campbell, later mentioned that Stokes was in good spirits, while CEO Tim Bostock was surprised by McCullum’s comments.
Clarifying his stance, McCullum noted that the situation has improved significantly. He said, “Initially, I was a bit concerned, but now I see that he looks great and is ready to play. He seems excited for this match, and it’s good to have the team back together.”
Emphasizing the strength of their partnership, McCullum remarked, “Working with Ben (Stokes) has truly been a privilege for me. I fondly remember the times we were so close as a group and as a pair. Beyond that, other things are out of our control. Ben and I are close friends.”
This connection was clearly visible during England’s training session in Nottingham. Before discussing plans with selector Marcus North, Stokes and McCullum embraced each other.
McCullum added, “I think he batted brilliantly. He even messaged me asking, ‘Did you see the highlights?’ I replied that I did, and he responded, ‘I’m back.’”
The third Test is crucial for England. A loss would give New Zealand a rare chance to win the series in England, raising further concerns about England’s red-ball performance, as they have only won two of their last nine Test matches. However, McCullum believes that challenging times reveal the true capabilities of a leadership team. He stated, “When conditions are easy, anyone can lead. The true identity of a leader or leadership group is defined by their ability to lead in difficult times.”
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