Brendon McCullum is worried about Ben Stokes but has not backed England captaincy.

Head coach Brendon McCullum refused to draw on Ben Stokes’ future as England captain, but reiterated his “worries and concerns” about the all-rounder.

Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have been ruled out of New Zealand’s second Test at The Oval pending an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub last week.

It’s not just the latest controversy to hit the England team, but another chapter in the 35-year-old Stokes’ history.

Stokes, one of England’s greatest cricketers in 2017, was acquitted of an incident outside a Bristol nightclub. He has taken a break from cricket in 2021 to prioritize his mental health.

“Our concern is with Ben, our concern is dealing with that situation, making sure we take care of him, that he’s supported by us and that he’s connected with us,” McCullum said.

“These other things work offline.”

Stokes and Atkinson break the England team’s midnight curfew as they celebrate their opening Test win over New Zealand at Lord’s. They were present when a member of England’s security staff was punched by a Saracens rugby player.

Both will miss the second Test at the Oval where England made four changes in the XI. Joe Root will captain Stokes, with Jofra Archer, Matthew Fisher and uncapped pair Sonny Baker and Jordan Cox coming into the squad.

Last week, Director of Cricket Rob K Stokes said he could see no reason why he should not play for England again, but stopped accepting as captain.

And, at a media conference at The Oval, McCullum took every opportunity to suggest that Stokes will once again captain England.

Instead, New Zealand reiterated its desire to support and nurture stokes.

Asked about the captaincy, McCullum said: “What can happen depends on the line. Those decisions are not for now.

“The concern is making sure that Ben is OK. We’re going to take care of him, rally around him and make those kinds of decisions over time. For me, I’m just making sure to check in with him. At this point, things are set.”

Stokes is back in training ahead of Friday’s Durham County Championship clash with Northamptonshire.

Approached by McCullum, who are positive Stokes want to play again, the manager took a long pause and said: “I’m worried about Ben, that’s it, I’ll leave it at that.

“I’m in constant contact with him, which is great. I’m really worried about him.

“Whatever he’s doing at the moment, it’s probably because he thinks it’s the right thing to do to deal with what Ben is feeling right now. So my concern is Ben.

“He has the right to make his own decisions about those things and I encourage him to continue doing things like that because if it gives him some happiness and satisfaction, that’s good.”