Head coach Brendon McCullum refused to be drawn on Ben Stokes’ future as England captain however repeatedly spoke of his “fear and concern” for the all-rounder.
Stokes and tempo bowler Gus Atkinson have been made unavailable for the second Check towards New Zealand at The Oval pending an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub final week.
Not solely is it the most recent controversy to hit this England staff, it’s one other chapter within the storied profession of 35-year-old Stokes.
One in all England’s biggest cricketers of all time, Stokes was cleared of expenses of affray following an incident exterior a Bristol nightclub in 2017. In 2021, he took a break from cricket to prioritise his psychological well-being.
“Our concern is with Ben, our concern is dealing with that state of affairs, ensuring we glance after him, that he feels supported by us and in communication with us,” mentioned McCullum.
“These different issues will work out down the road.”
In celebrating the opening Check victory over New Zealand at Lord’s, Stokes and Atkinson broke the England staff’s midnight curfew. They had been current when a member of England safety employees was struck by a Saracens rugby participant.
Each will miss the second Check at The Oval, for which England have made 4 modifications to their XI. Joe Root will deputise for Stokes as captain, with Jofra Archer, Matthew Fisher and uncapped pair Sonny Baker and Jordan Cox coming into the staff.
Final week, director of cricket Rob Key mentioned he may see no motive why Stokes wouldn’t play for England once more, however stopped in need of endorsing him as captain.
And, in a sombre media convention at The Oval, McCullum handed up all alternatives to counsel Stokes will as soon as once more be England captain.
As a substitute, the New Zealander reiterated his need to assist and take care of Stokes.
Askes in regards to the captaincy, McCullum mentioned: “What might be might be down the road. These selections usually are not for now.
“The priority is ensuring Ben is okay. We’d like to ensure we glance after him, rally round him, and in time we’ll get on to these kinds of choices. For me, I am simply ensuring I am checking in with him. That is the place issues sit in the meanwhile.”
Stokes has already returned to coaching, with the likelihood he may play within the County Championship for Durham towards Northamptonshire on Friday.
When it was put to McCullum it’s a optimistic that Stokes is trying to play once more, the coach gave an extended pause and mentioned: “I am nervous about Ben. That is it. I am going to depart it at that.
“I am in fixed communication with him, which is nice. I take care of him immensely.
“No matter he’s working by way of in the meanwhile, will probably be as a result of Ben thinks that is proper for coping with what he is feeling in the meanwhile. So my concern is Ben.
“He is very entitled to make his personal selections round that stuff and I encourage him to maintain doing stuff like that as a result of if it provides him some pleasure and a few satisfaction, then that is good.”
