England Confirms Ben Stokes’ Return to Captaincy for the Third Test Against New Zealand

After suffering a massive loss by 253 in the second test against New Zealand at The Oval, England will look to go all guns blazing in the final test of the series. England will believe their chances of winning the test and the series 2-1 will be better after the return of their regular skipper, Ben Stokes as captain of the side. 

Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have been named in the England’s squad for the third test against New Zealand at the Trent Bridge following the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing against them. Both the players were suspended from the second test after the duo pleaded guilty of breaching the midnight curfew rules. 

Reportedly both the players were present at a night club in London when a member of the England’s security staff got involved in an altercation after England’s win in the first test. In the absence of Stokes, Joe Root was appointed the captain and England had to make five changes to their side. 

In a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), it said, “Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been included in the England’s men’s squad for the third test against New Zealand following the conclusion of an ECB disciplinary hearing in relation to their conduct in the early hours of Monday 8 June.”

“Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached the contractual obligation that necessitated all England players to maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket.” Both had received written warnings but were not blamed for the violence, the ECB said. 

It was noted that Stokes was not present during the violent conduct and Atkinson was subjected to an unprovoked attack. However, he did not retaliate. Joe Root, who once again stepped into the captain’s role in the absence of Ben Stokes during the second test, reached a personal milestone of scoring 14,000 Test runs, becoming only the second player in the history to do so, only behind the great Sachin Tendulkar. 

In his absence from the England team, Ben Stokes went on to play for his county side, Durham in the County Championships match, and impressed one all and all by scoring 95 runs off 118 balls against Northamptonshire. 

The third Test starts from June 25 in Nottingham.