Ben Stokes has been withdrawn from the remainder of Durham’s County Championship match against Northamptonshire in a clear indication that he will return to England’s Test team.
Gus Atkinson has also reportedly been withdrawn from Surrey’s side for the third day of their match against Glamorgan.
England captain Stokes and fast bowler Atkinson were left out of the second Test against New Zealand following an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub.
After England’s victory in the first Test at Lord’s, the two players breached the team’s midnight curfew in the early hours of the Monday morning and were reportedly present during an incident involving a member of England’s security staff and a Saracens player.
The ECB are yet to confirm any decisions around Stokes and Atkinson, nor the outcome of the investigations into them.
Both players were able to still play for their respective counties in the latest round of domestic matches from Friday, with Stokes catching the eye with 95 runs against Northamptonshire on day two on a day England toiled in the fourth day of the second New Zealand Test.
The ECB had the power to withdraw the players from those fixtures at any stage. Pre-Test training for what strongly appears likely to be a deciding match against New Zealand begins on Tuesday.
The Trent Bridge Test starts on Thursday, live on Sky Sports Cricket.
More to follow…
Watch day five of the second Test between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.15am on Sunday (11am first ball). Stream with NOW.
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)
