The captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been dropped from the England Squad for the Oval Test after a bizarre incident at a London nightclub.
The ECB confirmed that the duo are being investigated for breaching the team’s curfew and reportedly getting involved in a brawl at Londo nightclub after their first Test Win at Lord’s.
Meanwhile, Joe Root will lead England in Ben Stokes’ absence for the second test of the New Zealand tour of England 2026. England secured a 115-run victory in the first match and is currently in the 7th position of the WTC 2025-27 Points Table.
This will be the first time England’s leading run scorer will captain the side in the Bazball era, and his first match in charge since March 2022.
“The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the Rothesay 2nd Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June,” a statement read.
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have to breach the team’s midnight curfew, which was instituted in January following a series of Alcohol-related incidents involving England’s players during their winter tours of New Zealand and Australia.
The incident also involved Saracens Rugby Club player Totua Auvaa, who reportedly threw a punch that injured the ECB security officer accompanying Ben Stokes and Atkinson.
England have made two changes for the Oval Test, replacing the duo with Jordan Cox and pacer Jofra Archer, who returns after being rested from the first test following his IPL stint.
Joe Root has played in 64 tests, where England won 27 and lost 26 games, while 11 games ended in a draw.
The second test will be played between June 17 and 21 at The Oval, London.
England Squad for Second Test: Joe Root, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
