'Ben Stokes and I are tight': Brendon McCullum clears the air on rumours ahead of 3rd test against New Zealand
· Yahoo Sports
England head coach Brendon McCullum has firmly dismissed speculation of a rift with Test captain Ben Stokes, describing the reports as "baseless" and even "amusing" ahead of England's crucial third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Speaking in Nottingham after a lengthy face-to-face conversation with Stokes, McCullum stressed that both their personal friendship and professional partnership remain stronger than ever despite recent scrutiny surrounding the England camp. The former New Zealand captain revealed that he directly addressed the rumours with Stokes following a turbulent fortnight for English cricket.
"I said: 'Do you know where this has come from, the conversations around our relationship over the last six months?' He said: 'No, I have no idea.' I said to him: 'As far as I'm concerned, I consider you a good friend.'"
McCullum reiterated his unwavering support for Stokes, insisting that recent controversies have done little to alter the immense respect he holds for his captain.
"Everyone 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. One blemish doesn't ruin all of that. It's just a slight blip, then you move on,'' McCullum ahead of the team's training session at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.
He also highlighted that healthy debates are a natural part of any successful leadership partnership.
"There's going to be times where we discuss and debate things. We make decisions together, one will have to concede at times and vice versa. We are good friends, we work very well together. Ben and I are tight," McCullum added.
How the rift speculation began
Rumours of a growing divide between McCullum and Stokes emerged following a series of off-field and on-field developments. The biggest talking point was the one-match suspension handed to Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson after they breached a team curfew during a night out in London. The incident, which involved an altercation that led to an ECB security official being struck, resulted in both players missing the second Test at The Oval.
Focus shifts to Trent Bridge
With Stokes returning to captaincy duties, England will look to bounce back from a crushing 253-run defeat at The Oval and clinch the home series against New Zealand in the decisive third Test beginning on Thursday at Trent Bridge.
England Playing XI for Third Test vs New Zealand
Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
Speaking in Nottingham after a lengthy face-to-face conversation with Stokes, McCullum stressed that both their personal friendship and professional partnership remain stronger than ever despite recent scrutiny surrounding the England camp. The former New Zealand captain revealed that he directly addressed the rumours with Stokes following a turbulent fortnight for English cricket.
"I said: 'Do you know where this has come from, the conversations around our relationship over the last six months?' He said: 'No, I have no idea.' I said to him: 'As far as I'm concerned, I consider you a good friend.'"
McCullum reiterated his unwavering support for Stokes, insisting that recent controversies have done little to alter the immense respect he holds for his captain.
"Everyone 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. One blemish doesn't ruin all of that. It's just a slight blip, then you move on,'' McCullum ahead of the team's training session at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.
He also highlighted that healthy debates are a natural part of any successful leadership partnership.
"There's going to be times where we discuss and debate things. We make decisions together, one will have to concede at times and vice versa. We are good friends, we work very well together. Ben and I are tight," McCullum added.
How the rift speculation began
Rumours of a growing divide between McCullum and Stokes emerged following a series of off-field and on-field developments. The biggest talking point was the one-match suspension handed to Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson after they breached a team curfew during a night out in London. The incident, which involved an altercation that led to an ECB security official being struck, resulted in both players missing the second Test at The Oval.
Focus shifts to Trent Bridge
With Stokes returning to captaincy duties, England will look to bounce back from a crushing 253-run defeat at The Oval and clinch the home series against New Zealand in the decisive third Test beginning on Thursday at Trent Bridge.
England Playing XI for Third Test vs New Zealand
Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
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