THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

'McCullum has got to go with Stokes': Ex-England pacer lambasts current Test setup Former England pacer and Ashes winner Steve Harmison has called for England head coach Brendon McCullum to step down following Ben Stokes' retirement. Harmison criticised McCullum's "Bazball" approach, calling it "amateur" and arguing that Stokes and McCullum were a joint project. Meanwhile, Stokes said he retired due to burnout and to rediscover his love for cricket.

'Bewildered, angry, gutted, then worried': McCullum on Ben Stokes ... England head coach Brendon McCullum said he was angry with Ben Stokes after the nightclub incident involving his captain and fast bowler Gus Atkinson that led to their omission from the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. However, McCullum conveyed he is also concerned about Stokes and Atkinson. “You go from being bewildered, to angry, to gutted. Quickly through talking to Ben and Gus, my emotion turned to worry and concern, for Ben in particular,” McCullum told reporters on Monday. Stokes and Atkinson were dropped from England’s XI for the second Test, with veteran Joe Root being named interim captain. The pairbreached the team’s midnight curfewand were reportedly present when an England security staff member was involved in an incident with a Saracens rugby player. McCullum said he is in constant touch with Stokes to ensure his well being, and decisions regarding his captaincy will be taken at a later stage. “Our concern is with Ben. Our concern is handling that situation, making sure we look after him, that he feels supported by us and in communication with us. We need to make sure we look after …

McCullum confirms Ben Stokes' return as captain for third Test - ESPN Brendon McCullumhas said thatBen Stokeswill back asEnglandTest captain for the third Test against New Zealand next week*. Stokes and seamerGus Atkinsonwere pulled out of their ongoing County Championship matches earlier on Sunday, having been stood down for the second Test for disciplinary reasons, apparently paving the way for them to be reintegrated. Speaking to the reporters after England's253-run defeat at The Oval, McCullum said: "Firstly Ben will be back, we'll name the squad this afternoon. Ben will be back and be captain. Everyone is excited about that." Stokes and Atkinson were unavailable for selection at The Oval after breaking the team curfew following victory in the first Test, which led to anincident at a Chelsea nightclubin which an ECB security liaison was struck. They were allowed to play for their counties while investigations by the Cricket Regulator and the ECB were concluded, although the outcomes have yet to be made public. It emerged at the start of the second Test that Stokes' return was likely, and as captain, relieving Joe Root, who has acted as interim in a tough week on and off th…

Ben Stokes Retains England Captaincy Despite Nightclub Saga: Return ... Ben Stokes will retain the captaincy of the England team despite the controversial nightclub scuffle, which he missed in the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval. The star all-rounder will return to the national side for the third Test at the Trent Bridge Stadium in Nottingham from June 25. England head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed the development post the end of the second Test, which England lost by 273 runs. The former New Zealand captain stated that Stokes will lead the team in the series decider. "Ben will be back. He'll be back and he'll be captain. You're just trying to make sure you're very communicative right throughout. We all got the same ambition, which is to make English cricket a very good team and to try to achieve results on the field, and that hasn't changed," said McCullum as per BBC Sports. We've worked together intimately for four years. We've achieved some cool things and let ourselves down in other things. Our motivation, belief and ambition for this side has not wavered. We have robust conversations all the way through and I think that is to be expected when you're in position…

McCullum goes from 'angry to gutted' after Stokes nightclub incident England coach Brendon McCullum says he went from "bewildered to angry to gutted" after hearing captain Ben Stokes was involved in another late-night incident.

McCullum on Stokes after nightclub incident: "I worry for him" The Associated Press June 15, 2026, 11:08 AM England coach Brendon McCullum said his initial reaction of bewilderment and anger at Ben Stokes breaching team protocols has given way to “worry and concern” following the nightclub incident that has left his captain’stest futurein the balance. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson weredropped from the squadlast week ahead of the second test against New Zealand starting Wednesday while they areunder investigationfollowing their night out after England’s victory in the first test at Lord’s. The night ended with a member of England’s security staff being reportedly struck by a rugby player from English club Saracens in a nightclub, where Stokes was present. The saga has heaped more scrutiny on the professionalism and culture around England’s test team — led by McCullum and Stokes — following ahumiliating Ashes tour, after which a midnight curfew was reportedly imposed on England’s players and staff. McCullum spoke publicly about the incident for the first time on Monday and said his priority now is taking care of Stokes, more than deciding what the punishment should be. “It’…

McCullum 'worried' about Stokes as England name much-changed XI England head coach Brendon McCullum "worried" about skipper Ben Stokes after incident at a nightclub;watch second Test between England and New Zealand, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Wednesday Monday 15 June 2026 15:40, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Brendon McCullum admits he is "worried" about Ben Stokes after the nightclub incident that led to the England captain being dropped for the second Test against New Zealand. Stokes was left out of the squad at the Kia Oval after he and seamer Gus Atkinson breached a midnight curfew following the series opener at Lord's, with an incident involving a Saracens rugby player attracting an internal investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board. McCullum was speaking about Stokes for the first time since the incident at anightclub following the first Test victory against New Zealand, which also led to Atkinson being dropped. There were suggestions that Stokes would resign or even retire in the immediate aftermath but, with no public reaction from the 35-year-old as it stands, McCullum repeatedly focu…

Stokes to return as England captain for 3rd New Zealand Test - McCullum Stokes to return as England captain for 3rd New Zealand Test - McCullum London (AFP) – Ben Stokes will return as England captain for next week's third and deciding Test against New Zealand in Nottingham, head coach Brendon McCullum announced on Sunday. Issued on: 21/06/2026 - 17:30 3 min Reading time Ben Stokes was left out of England's squad for the second Test against New Zealand © Saeed KHAN / AFP Advertising Read more Stokes was stood down from England's emphatic 253-run defeat by New Zealand in the second Test at the Oval this week for breaching a team curfew following his side's win in the series opener at Lord's earlier this month. Although absent from the second Test, all-rounder Stokes, 35, was permitted to play for Durham and he made 95 against Northamptonshire in the County Championship on Saturday. But on Sunday, before play started, both Stokes and Surrey paceman Gus Atkinson, who was also dropped by England for his part in the curfew breach, were both removed from their respective domestic matches in the clearest sign yet that they were being primed for a Test recall. "Ben will be back. He…

'Stokes will be captain': McCullum drops massive update after 253-run loss England captain Ben Stokes will return for the third Test against New Zealand despite an ongoing disciplinary investigation over a curfew breach. Coach Brendon McCullum confirmed Stokes will lead the side after impressing with Durham. Gus Atkinson is also in line for a comeback. McCullum dismissed talk of tensions, insisting there remains mutual respect between him and Stokes.

McCullum worried about Stokes after nightclub incident McCullum worried about Stokes after nightclub incident Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox Cricket - England v New Zealand - First Test - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 7, 2026 England's Ben Stokes with head coach Brendon McCullum after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers REUTERS Published Jun 15, 2026, 10:34 PM Updated Jun 15, 2026, 10:34 PM June 15 - England head coach Brendon McCullum said he was angry but also concerned about Ben Stokes after the nightclub incident involving his captain and fast bowler Gus Atkinson that led to their omission from the second test against New Zealand at The Oval. Stokes and Atkinson breached the team’s midnight curfew and were reportedly present when an England security staff member was involved in an incident with a Saracens rugby player. “You go from being bewildered, to angry, to gutted,” McCullum told reporters on Monday. “Quickly through talking to Ben and Gus, my emotion turned to worry and concern - for Ben in particular," McCullum added. The episode is the latest off-field issue for England after vice-captain Harry Brook was punched by …

Ben Stokes: Brendon McCullum announces England captain's return for ... Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson set for recalls to England squad for third Test against New Zealand after being withdrawn from their respective county matches on Sunday by the ECB;watch the decisive final England vs New Zealand Test live from Thursday on Sky Sports Sunday 21 June 2026 16:33, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player England head coach Brendon McCullum says that captain Ben Stokes will return to the side for the deciding third Test against New Zealand. Stokes and Gus Atkinson were withdrawn by the ECB from the third day's play of their respective County Championship matches on Sunday and look set to return to the England fold for a series decider at Trent Bridge from Thursday after New Zealand secured a crushing victory in the second Test. Speakingon Sunday after England fell to a 253-run defeat at The Oval, McCullum said: "Ben will be back and he will be captain. We will name the squad this afternoon. "Everyone is excited about that, especially after seeing him hit some form with Durham. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "My view on that has…

England head coach Brendan McCullum admits 'worry' for Ben Stokes ... - LBC England head coach Brendan McCullum admits 'worry' for Ben Stokes after Chelsea nightclub incident McCullum said he was initially "bewildered" when he learned what ahd happened before turning to worry 15 Jun 2026, 14:58 | Updated: 8h ago Share Facebook WhatsApp Email Link Copied Link CheckCircle Want LBC stories before everyone else? Set us as your Preferred Source on Google McCullum (right) has said he is worried for his captain Stokes. Picture: Getty By Alex Storey England head coach Brendan McCullum has admitted he is worried about Ben Stokes after the captain was left out of the squad for the second test following an incident at a Chelsea nightclub. Listen to this article Loading audio... Stokes and his teammate Gus Atkinson broke team protocols as they celebrated victory over New Zealand at Lord's last weekend. The altercation involved Saracens rugby union player Totoa Auvaa , who allegedly threw a punch towards one of the group members and placed them in breach of the team's midnight curfew. There were suggestions that Stokes would resign or even retire in the immediate aftermath but, with no public …

Brendon McCullum reacts to Ben Stokes incident: 'I'm worried about him' Brendon McCullum has expressed his worry over Ben Stokes after the incident that saw him dropped for the second Test against New Zealand – and said now is not the time to discuss his future as England Test captain. Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been left out of the squad at the Oval this week as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Regulator are investigating the pair for breaching curfew after the Test victory at Lord’s. The pair were involved in an incident at a Chelsea nightclub and have been stood down for the second Test, with Joe Root standing in as captain. Explaining that he had progressed through a range of emotions after learning of the incident, which occurred in the early hours of last Monday, England head coach McCullum repeatedly stressed his concern for his skipper, having worked closely with Stokes over the last four years. “When I first found out, I was slightly bewildered, if I am being honest,” McCullum admitted. “You go through a range of emotions from bewildered to angry to kind of gutted after the progress we had discussed over the last six months, and some of the improvem…