Ben Stokes, the captain of England, has been challenged by Brendon McCullum to use the controversy surrounding his curfew violation as motivation to win the third Test match against New Zealand and seal the series.
After violating a midnight curfew in an altercation at a London nightclub while celebrating England’s first Test victory at Lord’s, Stokes and quick bowler Gus Atkinson were removed from the second Test.
Following Stokes’ late-night antics, which led to speculation that the all-rounder would lose his captaincy or retire from international service, McCullum expressed his anxiety and worry.
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board merely issued a formal warning for violating “specific contractual obligations” after the two players were mostly exonerated in two later investigations.
In the second Test at the Oval, England lost by 253 runs without their captain and one of their most important fast bowlers.
For the third Test, which begins in Nottingham on Thursday, Stokes and Atkinson have been called back from exile. On Tuesday, they worked out at Trent Bridge with their teammates.
McCullum is certain that the fiercely competitive Stokes can use a game-winning performance against the Black Caps to silence the detractors and shift the story in his favor.
“Everyone that has seen Ben over the course of his captaincy and worked intimately alongside him has an immense amount of respect for him, myself included,” AFP quoted McCullum as saying.
“One blemish doesn’t ruin all of that. It’s just a slight blip, then you move on. That’s where we’re at as a team, that’s where Ben is at as well. Anyone can lead when it’s easy. The true account of a leader, or leadership group, is to be able to lead when times are difficult.
“You’ve got to be prepared to go through some tough times knowing that if you’re able to navigate through that, and hold the fort and hold your nerve, then there’s some good stuff to come.”
