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.
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.”
Four changes to England’s XI
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.
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 runsSecond 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.
