England head coach Brendon McCullum insists there was no breakdown in his relationship with returning captain Ben Stokes, declaring “it’s good to have the band again collectively”.
Stokes and quick bowler Gus Atkinson resumed coaching with their team-mates at Trent Bridge on Tuesday afternoon, ending a two-week exile that noticed them miss the series-levelling defeat on the Kia Oval.
The pair have been stood down following an incident at a London nightclub within the early hours of June 8, although they have been largely cleared in two subsequent investigations.
They obtained a written warning from the England and Wales Cricket Board for breaking “particular contractual obligations” however had no case to reply when it got here to 2 unprovoked assaults on Atkinson.
For unique tales and all of the detailed cricket news you want, subscribe to The Cricket Paper web site, digital version, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day
PICTURE: Robbie Stephenson/PA
Identical web page
In the meantime, the Cricket Regulator dominated there was inadequate proof in opposition to them.
McCullum declined the chance to publicly again his skipper whereas the probe occurred and later raised questions over his frame of mind, resulting in renewed hypothesis over the pair’s bond after a troublesome Ashes winter.
However McCullum claimed they have been on the identical web page after a prolonged chat previous to England’s internet session.
“I’ve had a great catch-up with him this morning, an hour and a bit speaking, and he was excellent,” mentioned McCullum.
“He seems able to go, he’s enthusiastic concerning the week and, clearly from our perspective, it’s good to have the band again collectively.”
PICTURE: Mike Egerton/PA
Good buddy
Requested if latest occasions had put a wedge between them, he added: “By no means. We talked about that this morning.
“I mentioned ‘are you aware the place this has come from, the conversations round our relationship during the last six months?’
“He mentioned ‘no, I don’t know’. I mentioned to him ‘as far I’m involved, I think about you a great buddy’.
“Clearly we’ve been by means of rather a lot collectively as a working pair in management positions right here in English cricket.
“In the long run, we each need what’s proper and what’s the finest for English cricket and we’re crystal clear on the route we wish this staff to take.”
READ MORE: James Coles handed England call-up for T20 series against India
