Stokes is a good friend: McCullum rejects talk of falling out with England captain

England head coach Brendon McCullum dismissed suggestions of a rift with Ben Stokes, insisting the England captain remains a “good friend” as the hosts prepare for the crucial third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

Questions about the relationship between McCullum and Stokes resurfaced during the captain’s absence in the second Test at the Oval, where England suffered a crushing 253-run defeat to allow New Zealand level the series at 1-1.

Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson missed the match after being suspended for breaching the team’s midnight curfew following England’s win in the opening Test at Lord’s. The pair were also present during an incident in London in which a member of England’s security staff was hit by a Saracens rugby player.

Following the conclusion of the disciplinary hearing, both players were cleared to return for the third Test, and McCullum used the pre-match press conference to deny reports that his relationship with Stokes had become strained.

The England manager revealed he addressed the speculation head-on when Stokes rejoined the squad on Tuesday.

“I said, ‘You know where that came from, from the conversations surrounding our relationship over the last six months?'” McCullum told reporters.

“He said, ‘No, I have no idea.’ I told him, ‘As far as I’m concerned, I consider you a good friend.'”

McCullum said the pair remain closely aligned despite the scrutiny that has accompanied England’s recent setbacks, including their Ashes defeat in Australia and the loss at The Oval.

“Obviously we’ve been through a lot together as a working couple in senior positions in English cricket,” McCullum said.

“At the end of the day we both want what’s right and what’s best for England cricket.”

The former New Zealand captain has worked alongside Stokes since taking charge of England’s Test team in 2022, helping to oversee a transformation in the team’s approach to red-ball cricket.

Speculation about the pair’s relationship also surfaced during England’s difficult Ashes campaign, but McCullum said there was no truth behind the latest rumours.

“Over the past four years it has been a real privilege to work in intimate detail and as a partnership alongside Ben,” he said.

“I look back on it fondly, how tight we were as a group and how tight we were as a couple. Anything other than that, it’s not really up to us. Ben and I are tight.”

STOKES RETURNS FOR SERIES DECIDER

England made four changes for the third TestStokes, Atkinson, spinner Shoaib Bashir and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith return to the side. Smith missed the previous Test while on paternity leave.

The changes move England closer to the side that won the first Test at Lord’s. Despite recovering from the knee problem that ruled him out of the second Test, Ollie Robinson was not recalled and Jofra Archer retained his place in the pace attack.

James Rew, Jordan Cox, Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker were all left out of the squad.

England XI for the Third Test: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

June 24, 2026 12:35 PM IST