The questions facing England after awful fortnight

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. The questions facing England after awful fortnight Figure caption, Highlights: NZ level series after Henry blows away England on day fiveByStephan Shemilt Cricket Correspondent at The OvalPublished41 minutes agoAt the end of an extraordinary fortnight, English cricket is dealing with the consequences of another controversy. Captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson will face no further action following an incident that occurred in a London nightclub, and have returned to the squad for the third Test against New Zealand starting on Thursday at Trent Bridge. The fallout will hang over the decider in Nottingham, with England desperate for a series win following their awful Ashes tour.

Stokes and Atkinson may have been cleared, but questions remain over the entire England set-up. Where does this leave Stokes' relationship with McCullum? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brendon McCullum was appointed England head coach in May 2022, a month after Ben Stokes was named England Test captainCaptain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum were all smiles after England won the first Test at Lord's, apparently on the same page after a bruising Ashes winter.

The Details

In the run-up to the home summer, both men denied Australia had damaged their relationship. Assessing where they are after this episode is mainly done through the words of McCullum. The New Zealander has spoken and Stokes is yet to.

Two days before the second Test, for which Stokes was absent, McCullum repeatedly spoke of his "worry" and "concern" for the all-rounder. However, when Stokes returned to play for his county, Durham chief executive Tim Bostock said he was "bemused" by McCullum's take. Two things can be true at the same time.

McCullum said he has been in daily contact with Stokes, and could have been given cause for concern. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old could have felt relaxed with Durham, away from everything going on with England. Before the Test, McCullum would not be drawn on Stokes' future as a player or captain.

What Experts Say

He may have genuinely not known, and probably had a right to be frustrated it was Stokes, of all people, who had allowed himself to be caught up in a nightclub incident. Following a crushing defeat in the second Test, McCullum confirmed Stokes' return and said: "I anticipate we'll be able to work together really well in the week coming and I'm sure that both of us have that same vision for this cricket team. "Stokes will speak to the media on Wednesday, while England train in Nottingham for the first time on Tuesday.

There will be plenty of interested observers. What about Stokes' relationship with the ECB? Stokes' mistrust of those who were a "suit" was fostered in the aftermath of the incident outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017 that almost cost him his career.

He felt let down by the hierarchy and made his feelings known after his starring role in the 2019 World Cup final. Stokes was asked for a selfie by "someone who wears a suit". His response is unprintable.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.