England and New Zealand Tests: Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker selected for England’s second Tests

McCullum explained why Joe Root was named interim captain for the second Test, rather than vice-captain Harry Brooke, saying it was a “collaborative” decision.

Brooke explained that Ruth told him he was “the right person to be.”

Brook was attacked by a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington in October on the eve of a one-day international against New Zealand.

“After talking to both Joe and Harry it became very clear that Joe was the right person to do it,” McCullum said.

“He’s really excited, because he feels like he’s in a much better position now to do that job, given he’s been giving it his all.”

“Harry told me that he leans heavily on Harry when it comes to tactics as he feels Brooke is one of the best tactical minds he has seen.

“(Brock) said he was going to do the job, but Joe was the right person to do it.

“He said I’ll give him everything I can to help him, and he knows it’s a good tactic, but he knows he’s not the finished product as a leader, and he admits he hasn’t lived up to those standards in the past.

“He knows he’s got work to do here as well, but basically we’re very happy that Joe Harry can help.”

England train for the first time since their win in the first Test – and the Stokes-Atkinson incident – on Sunday. McCullum said he was encouraged by the atmosphere in the team.

“I was excited to see how the team was doing and to be honest I was really happy,” McCullum said. “It was calm.

“Guys were still talking about last week, then they touched on what happened.

“This week, they started meeting in groups about what we have to do and how we can adapt to these situations.

“Joe spoke well. We know how stable his personality is. His relationship with Harry also gives us good leadership cover.

“Thank you to those who made it in this situation.”