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Ahead of the third match of the three-match Test series against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, England head coach Brendon McCullum is trying to shake off all the negative emotions surrounding his relationship with Ben Stokes, who has rejoined the team ahead of the third Test after missing the second Test due to a nightclub incident.
Since the series defeat against arch-rivals Australia during the Ashes 2025-26, there has been a lot of discussion about the relationship between the coach and the captain, with most pointing towards a rift. McCullum has a different opinion after taking over as the head coach of the England national cricket team and he considers Ben Stokes as his close associate.
Rift between Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes?
There was a long discussion between Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes before the last Test against New Zealand. After the discussion, when the former New Zealand opener met the media, he said that all the speculations around him and Stokes are completely baseless.
I asked him, ‘Do you know where this discussion about our relationship has come from in the last six months?'” McCullum told reporters. “He replied, ‘No, I have no idea.’ I told him, ‘As far as I’m concerned, I consider you a good friend.’
England will have to win against New Zealand at any cost
Without Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson, England lost the second Test to the Blackcaps. As the hosts claim first and the visitors claim second, the 3-match Test series is now balanced with the scoreline at one each, making the remaining match the series decider.
Before the second match, some comments made by Brendon McCullum sparked another series of controversies as the head coach expressed concern for the captain, who was accused of violating the team’s night curfew.
Adding water to the fire, McCullum has clarified his statements and said that initially he was a little worried about Ben Stokes, but now he has no doubts as the fast bowling all-rounder looks good against him.
The head coach of the England cricket team told reporters, “Initially, I was a bit worried, but now I see he looks great and ready to go. He looks fantastic, he looks keen for the week, and it’s good to have the team back together.”
Ben and I are close: Brendon McCullum
McCullum further stressed that it has been an honor for him to work closely with Ben Stokes over the years, and that they have shared a close bond, and have been working as a pair for the betterment of the team.
He said, “It’s been a real privilege to work with Ben. I look back at how strong we were as a group and as a duo. Anything outside of that is out of our control. Ben and I are close.”
Stoke and McCullum looked in good spirits during the team’s practice session in Nottingham. The two discussed the field before contacting selector Marcus North ahead of the team announcement.