India, June 23 -- Brendon McCullum has dismissed suggestions of a rift with Ben Stokes after the England captain returned to the national set-up ahead of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

Stokes held talks with McCullum before England's training session on Tuesday, with the head coach later insisting that the pair remain close despite a turbulent fortnight for the Test team. England head into the series decider at 1-1, but the build-up has been dominated by questions over Stokes, Gus Atkinson and the late-night incident after the Lord's Test that led to both players being stood down before England's 253-run defeat at the Oval.

McCullum said the recent controversy was only a "slight blip" and backed Stokes to lead Engla...