![\"'Ben](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131892677,imgsize-112472,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/england-v-new-zealand-1st-rothesay-test-match-day-four.jpg\" "\\"Engalnd")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: England captain Ben Stokes<\/a> is set to return for the third Test against New Zealand in Nottingham after missing the second match, which ended in a crushing 253-run defeat for England at The Oval. Head coach Brendon McCullum<\/a> confirmed that Stokes will resume captaincy despite an ongoing disciplinary investigation into a breach of team rules earlier this month.Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson had been left out of the second Test after violating the team’s curfew following England’s victory in the series opener. During his time away from the national side, Stokes turned out for Durham and impressed with a quickfire 95 against Northamptonshire. Both he and Atkinson were later withdrawn from their county games, fuelling speculation of a return.Confirming the skipper’s comeback, McCullum said: \u201cBen will be back. He\u2019ll be back and he\u2019ll be captain.\u201d\u201cI think everyone is excited about that, especially after seeing him hit some form for Durham.”\u201cI\u2019ve been speaking to Ben every single day since we had the incident and my assessment was that I was worried about him. To see him go out there and play some cricket and look like he was enjoying himself is really positive.\u201cI\u2019m not going to divulge our conversations because they are confidential but it\u2019s great to see him back playing and I look forward to seeing him in a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n Recent reports suggested tensions had developed between McCullum and Stokes following England’s Ashes defeat and the disciplinary issue. However, the coach insisted their relationship remained strong.\u201cWe\u2019ve worked together intimately for four years, we\u2019ve achieved some cool things and we\u2019ve let ourselves down in other things.\u201cWe have robust conversations all the way through and that\u2019s to be expected when you\u2019re in positions of leadership. There\u2019s mutual respect there.”McCullum also stressed that mistakes cannot be ignored, saying: \u201cIt\u2019s really important to separate the actions from the man… You address it and you try to move on.\u201dStokes’s return could provide England with a timely boost as they look to bounce back in the series decider.<\/div>\nRelationship questions dismissed<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n