Ben Stokes returns as captain as England announce squad for ENG vs NZ 3rd Test

Ben Stokes was dropped from 2nd test against New Zealand by ECB.

England Cricket Team will be taking on New Zealand in a do-or-die third Test of three-match series. The match will commence on June 25 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Both the sides have won one match each and the next game will confirm the winner of the series.

Led by Ben Stokes in the first test, England defeated New Zealand by 115 runs. However, under Joe Root’s captaincy in the second test, which Stokes missed, New Zealand made a comeback and registered a 253-run win.

Stokes was part of the first Test but was dropped for the second Test by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching security protocols.

Stokes along with Gus Atkinson were involved in a physical altercation at a London nightclub with academy rugby player Totoa Auvva after the 1st Test at Lord’s. The ECB charged them for violating the midnight curfew rules. Moreover, the nightclub incident became the talk of the town and became a talking point in the British media, although Stokes and Atkinson were not injured in the incident.

According to reports, an ECB security staff member was injured by a punch from the rugby player during the altercation with Atkinson, and the incident became a highlight among the England cricket fraternity and former cricketers.

As a result, both Stokes and Atkinson were dropped from the ENG vs NZ 2nd test. Vice-captain Harry Brook was not given the captaincy due to disciplinary issues, which forced ECB to give leadership role to Joe Root for 2nd test.

Ben Stokes to return as captain for ENG vs NZ 3rd Test

Notably, England Cricket Team have received a piece of good news as their regular captain Stokes is set to return for the 3rd and final test against New Zealand.

ECB completed their investigation in the London Nightclub incident and found that Atkinson and Stokes were not guilty. However, they have been given strict written warnings by the governing body for breaching the team protocols.

“Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket,” the ECB said in an official statement.

In addition to not being considered for selection for the second Rothesay Test, they have both been given a written warning as to their conduct,” the statement added.

Also, the ECB investigation revealed that Stokes was not present at the Nightclub at the time of the incident. Atkinson did not initiate the fight and was rather a victim in the altercation.

“It was also concluded that no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub. Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident. The evidence the ECB has seen demonstrates that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate on either occasion,” the statement added further.

England’s squad for third and final Test

Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Josh Tongue.

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