England’s cricket captain Ben Stokes has emphasized his focus on winning the upcoming series-deciding Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, following a period of significant off-field controversy. Stokes returned to the squad on Sunday after being excluded from the second Test due to an investigation into a breach of team curfew involving himself and fast bowler Gus Atkinson.

The incident occurred on June 8, shortly after England’s victory over New Zealand at Lord’s, which had given the team a 1-0 lead in the series. Both players were subject to inquiries by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Cricket Regulator, who ultimately issued written warnings for breaching contractual obligations. However, they were cleared of wrongdoing relating to an altercation involving a Saracens rugby player in a nightclub.

During Stokes’s absence, England suffered a heavy 253-run defeat at The Oval, with Joe Root stepping in as stand-in captain. Addressing the media ahead of the third Test, Stokes acknowledged the distraction the incident caused but stressed that his mission remains the team’s success. “I’m here as captain of this team and all I’m trying to do is get a team focused on winning the series this week,” he said.

Stokes also apologized to his teammates for the disruption and the impact on the squad, including players making their Test debuts. “It affects more than just myself. It affected Joe Root, the squad, the people outside the playing environment,” he said. “You need to be big enough and man enough to take that upon your shoulders, and look everyone who it has affected in the eye and apologize the way you need to apologize.”

Questions have been raised about Stokes’s relationship with England’s head coach Brendon McCullum amidst the off-field issues and poor recent results. The pair, credited with implementing the aggressive “Bazball” approach since 2022, have seen England lose six of their last eight Test matches. Stokes dismissed claims of a rift, describing their bond as both professional and personal. “We have a professional relationship in terms of Brendon being head coach and me being captain, but then away from that we genuinely are very good mates,” he said. He acknowledged disagreements but insisted these should not be interpreted as division.

Stokes also expressed support for Root, who captained the team during his absence and faced criticism for his tactical decisions after the second Test defeat. “To see him stand up and take that responsibility on last week showed a lot about his character,” Stokes stated. “For me as his friend, it was hard to see the reaction that he got.”

Returning alongside Atkinson, Stokes is now preparing to lead England at Trent Bridge with the goal of securing a series victory over New Zealand.