Ben Stokes: Questions facing England and the captain after a difficult fortnight

Captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are all smiles after England. They won the first challenge At Lord’s, he looks to be on the same page after a damaging Ashes winter. Before the home summer, both men denied that Australia had ruined their relationship.

After this section, the evaluation of their position is mainly done in the words of the maculum. The native of New Zealand said and Stokes is still.

Two days ago second test, In the absence of Stokes, McCullum spoke repeatedly of his “worry” and his “universal concern”. However, when Stokes returned to play for his region, Durham chief executive Tim Bostock said he was disappointed at McCullum’s departure.

Two things can be true at the same time. McCullum said that he was in contact with Stokes on a daily basis and that it could be a source of stress. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old can relax with Durham away from all that is happening with England.

Ahead of the Test, McCullum did not draw on his future as a player or captain at Stoke. He probably didn’t really know, and probably had a right to be upset, that Stokes, of all people, had let himself be caught up in a nightclub incident.

After a heavy defeat in the second test, McCullum confirmed the return of Stokes And he said: “I think we can really work together in the coming week and I’m sure we both have the same vision for this cricket team.”

Stokes will speak to the media on Wednesday, and England will train for the first time in Nottingham on Tuesday. There will be many interested observers.