Ben Stokes will not be available for England‘s second Test against New Zealand at The Oval following an incident at a London nightclub. As a result, Joe Root has been named interim captain for the match, which is scheduled to begin on 17 June.
Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were both omitted from the squad after reportedly breaking the team’s midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident occurred when a member of England’s security staff was reportedly struck by Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is currently investigating the actions of Stokes and Atkinson. A separate inquiry is also being conducted by the Cricket Regulator, which may take several weeks to conclude. The ECB stated that due to the ongoing investigation, neither player was made available for selection.
Root returns to captaincy
Root’s appointment marks a return to the captaincy for the Yorkshire batter. He previously led England in 64 Tests between 2017 and 2022, a record number, before stepping down after a period that included one win in 17 Tests. Stokes, his close friend, then succeeded him in the role.
The England squad for the second Test includes several familiar names and some additions. Jofra Archer, a fast bowler from Sussex, and Jordan Cox, an Essex batter, have been added to the squad that secured a 115-run victory in the first Test at Lord’s.
The full squad for the second Test against New Zealand is:
- Joe Root (Yorkshire, captain)
- Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
- Jofra Archer (Sussex)
- Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
- Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
- Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
- Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
- Jordan Cox (Essex)
- Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
- Matthew Fisher (Surrey)
- Emilio Gay (Durham)
- James Rew (Somerset)
- Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
- Jamie Smith (Surrey)
- Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)
Harry Brook, who serves as England’s vice-captain, was not considered for the interim captaincy. This decision comes after Brook was involved in his own nightclub incident in October, prior to a one-day international against New Zealand in Wellington, where he was reportedly punched by a bouncer.
Impact on the team
The absence of Stokes, an all-rounder, and Atkinson, a key pace bowler, presents a challenge for England. While Stokes’ batting form has been under scrutiny, his all-round capabilities are considered crucial for team balance. Atkinson, who is 28, showed strong form in the first Test, taking seven wickets.
The situation could pave the way for Archer‘s return, as he missed the first Test after his participation in the Indian Premier League. Depending on the pitch conditions, Rehan Ahmed, a spin-bowling all-rounder, could be a suitable replacement for Stokes. Ahmed was part of the squad for the first Test but did not make the final XI.
If Ahmed steps in for Stokes, Shoaib Bashir, the off-spinner who played in the first Test but did not bowl, might make way to allow England to field four specialist seamers. Another option for replacing Stokes would be to include a specialist batter, with uncapped James Rew having been in the squad for the first Test.
Jordan Cox, 25, has been included in several England Test squads but has not yet made his debut. He was set to debut as wicketkeeper during the 2024 tour of New Zealand but suffered a broken thumb in the nets.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan expressed his view that Stokes should not lose his captaincy over the incident. He suggested that while Stokes made a mistake by breaking curfew, it should not be a sacking offence. Vaughan also commented on the ECB’s handling of previous incidents, noting that the lenient approach with Brook might have set a precedent.
The ECB has granted Stokes, 35, time to consider his options and has denied any suggestions that he has been asked to resign. This controversy follows a 4-1 Ashes tour of Australia that was also marked by off-field issues. The second Test is scheduled to begin on 17 June.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
