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Captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum were all smiles after England won the first Test<\/a> at Lord’s, apparently on the same page after a bruising Ashes winter. In the run-up to the home summer, both men denied Australia had damaged their relationship.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Two days before the second Test,<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Before the Test, McCullum would not be drawn on Stokes’ future as a player or captain. 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.<\/p>\n Following a crushing defeat in the second Test, McCullum confirmed Stokes’ return<\/a> 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.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n