England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been dropped for the second Test against New Zealand after breaching team protocols, with Joe Root taking over as skipper.
The ECB said the pair had “not been made available for selection” after breaching England’s new midnight curfew, as they were present at a nightclub when an altercation took place with a Saracens rugby player.
The squad announcement, for the clash at The Kia Oval, which begins on Wednesday 17 June, live on Sky Sports, comes with Stokes understood to be considering his future in international cricket.
Root was replaced by Stokes as England skipper in 2022 after a record 64 Tests in the role, but now makes a surprise return as what the ECB have described as “interim captain”.
Harry Brook was theoretically in line to take over as Stokes’ official vice-captain, but given the circumstances and the fact Brook himself was disciplined over the winter for an off-field incident, the ECB appear to have decided reinstating Root is more appropriate.
The dropped duo have been replaced in the squad by bowler Jofra Archer following his return from IPL action, and batter Jordan Cox.
Archer provides an obvious replacement option for Atkinson, while Essex batter Cox is among several players who could vie for Stokes’ position.
More to follow…
Nightclub incident explained
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launched an investigation into the incident that occurred when Stokes and Atkinson were celebrating Sunday’s victory against New Zealand at Lord’s.
Stokes and Atkinson, as well as another member of ECB staff, were at the nightclub when an altercation involving a Saracens rugby union player occurred in the early hours of Monday.
It is understood the unnamed Saracens player threw a punch at Atkinson but instead hit a security guard who was supervising the players. It is not clear if after that further punches were thrown.
The cricketers’ presence at the London nightspot was in contravention of a midnight curfew imposed on the team, put in place in response to criticism of the side’s professionalism and drinking habits.
There has been no police involvement, but the decision to omit Stokes and Atkinson from the second Test shows the career consequences have been significant.
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
