Durham CEO Bemused by Doubts Over Ben Stokes' State of Mind

Durham chief executive Tim Bostock says he is "bemused" about doubts around England Test captain Ben Stokes' "state of mind" following an incident in a London nightclub.

All-rounder Stokes, 35, was left out of England's squad for the second Test against New Zealand after breaking the team's midnight curfew.

Speaking at a sombre press conference on Monday, England coach Brendon McCullum repeatedly said he was "worried" about Stokes while refusing to back him to return as skipper.

Bostock said Stokes, who is playing for Durham against Northamptonshire on Friday, is "absolutely fine".

"It is just normal Ben," Bostock told BBC Look North.

"I was a little bit bemused by some of the comments about his state of mind and maybe in the first 24 hours when this exploded, I am sure he was thinking, 'What has happened here?'.

"He has been absolutely fine. He is very positive and is always very positive."

An investigation into the nightclub incident, when Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were present when a member of security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player, remains ongoing.

While the England and Wales Cricket Board is hopeful of a swift resolution, no update is expected on Friday.

There remains a growing likelihood Stokes will return as England captain for the third Test at Trent Bridge next week.

"This is a difficult situation," added Bostock. "It sounds like common sense is prevailing.

"We are happy to have Ben here but not under these circumstances."

England introduced a curfew after a number of off-field incidents dogged their defeat in last winter's Ashes in Australia.

In the aftermath of the incident on 8 June there were fears Stokes would retire, ending a storied England career. Those fears were allayed when he returned to training with Durham last weekend.

He has continued to train with his county through the past week and, with the investigation not preventing the all-rounder - nor fast bowler Atkinson - from playing in domestic, both returned to the field on Friday.

After having a catch dropped in his first over, Stokes had returned figures of 0-26 in nine overs by tea on day one against Northants at Chester-le-Street.

Atkinson dismissed Kiran Carlson and Ben Kellaway in his first 11 overs in Surrey's visit to Glamorgan.

"[Stokes] should be playing for England," Bostock said. "Hopefully will be back captaining next week."

If Stokes and Atkinson are picked to play in Nottingham they may have to be withdrawn from the latter part of the county fixtures, given the Test begins on Thursday.