England head coach Brendon McCullum says his initial reaction to Ben Stokes breaching team protocols quickly shifted to concern. Multiple reports describe McCullum being “bewildered” and “angry” after learning of the curfew breach, before his stance moved to “worry” and “concern” following the nightclub incident. The incident involved Stokes at a Chelsea nightclub where he was alleged to have broken a midnight curfew. As a result, Stokes is dropped for England’s second Test against New Zealand, with reports also noting other disciplinary action including Gus Atkinson’s exclusion. McCullum’s comments are presented as part of his first public reaction to the controversy, while he emphasizes that the situation has not yet resolved Stokes’s Test future. Some coverage highlights that McCullum does not make any pledge about Stokes’s captaincy outcome, focusing instead on the need to “look after” him as the investigation and selection decisions continue. Overall, the reporting converges on the same sequence: protocol breach, removal from the second Test, and McCullum expressing concern for Stokes’s wellbeing and situation.