Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from the remainder of their respective county championships in a clear indication that they will return to England for the final Test against New Zealand.
The ECB confirmed that both players have been withdrawn from their respective domestic matches ahead of the third day’s play.
However, it is understood that the investigation into the nightclub incident involving the two players is not yet complete.
England captain Stokes and fast bowler Atkinson were ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand after violating the team’s midnight curfew in the early hours of Monday following the first Test win, and were reportedly present during an incident involving a member of England’s security staff and a Saracens player.
With both players able to play for their respective counties in the latest round of home matches from Friday, Stokes caught the eye with England’s hard-working 95 on day four of the second New Zealand Test against Northamptonshire.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ben Stokes scored 95 off 118 balls for Durham against Northamptonshire.
The ECB reserves the right to withdraw players from those matches at any stage. Pre-Test training against New Zealand will begin on Tuesday.
The Trent Bridge Test starts on Thursday, live Sky Sports.
Reacting to the latest developments on Sunday morning ahead of the final day’s play at The Oval, Sky Sports Cricket Michael Atherton said: “I take it (the news) England will be hoping to play them at Trent Bridge.
“That formal investigation has not yet been completed but it is a clear signal that both will return to Trent Bridge.
“If that’s the case, if Ben Stokes is able to play, there’s no reason for him not to captain, so he’ll come back as captain, one assumes.
“And if Ollie Robinson is fit and Jamie Smith is good to go after the birth of his baby, then we can make five changes and go back to the team that England played and won at Lord’s after this interim chaos.”
More to follow…
England vs New Zealand Results & Schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
- First Test (Lord’s)- England won by 115 runs
- Second Test (The Kia Oval)- June 17-21 (11 am)
- Third Test (Trent Bridge)- June 25-29 (11 am)
Watch day five of the second Test between England and New Zealand on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday, first ball at 11am. Stream with NOW.
