Ben Stokes: Brendon McCullum prepared to work with returning England Test captain going forward

When McCullum spoke to the media two days before the second Test at The Oval, he repeatedly spoke of his “worry” and “concern” for Stokes.

Stokes returned to action for Durham against Northamptonshire in the County Championship and on Saturday struck 95, his highest score in any cricket since last July.

But Stokes and Atkinson, who was playing for Surrey at Glamorgan, were withdrawn from their matches on Sunday in order to be ready to play in the third Test, beginning on Thursday.

“I’ve been speaking to Ben every single day since we had the incident and my assessment was that I was worried about him,” he added.

“To see him go out there and play some cricket and look like he was enjoying himself is really positive.

“I’m not going to divulge our conversations because they are confidential but it’s great to see him back playing and I look forward to seeing him in a couple of days.”

This episode is the latest in a series of controversies that have hung over England since their winter tours.

In October, white-ball captain Harry Brook was struck by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the eve of a one-day international against New Zealand. Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were also present.

In December, on England’s mid-Ashes holiday in Noosa, opener Ben Duckett was filmed, apparently drunk, by members of the public. The footage was posted on social media.

“It is quite annoying, to be totally honest, constantly having to deal with these issues,” said McCullum.

“I like creating an environment where guys feel free, they are enjoying themselves, having a good time, travelling the world, trying to handle the pressures of playing international cricket, but I don’t condone some of the stuff we have done and I’ve been very strong on that.

“I will continue to be strong on it. It is incredibly disappointing that we have had to deal with those issues. I would like us to just become a better cricket team. It would be nice if that was our focus, rather than some of the other stuff we have had to deal with.”