Ben Stokes out of England squad, Joe Root captained for second Test.

An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) investigation into the actions of Stokes and Atkinson is still ongoing.

“In view of the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been selected for the second Test against New Zealand,” the ECB statement said.

The Controller of Cricket is conducting a separate investigation which may not be completed for several weeks.

Stokes, 35, has been given time by the ECB to consider his options. The governing body rejected the proposal to resign.

The show is an unwelcome controversy for the ECB following a 4-1 Ashes tour of Australia over an off-field row.

New Zealand’s defeat in the first Test at Lord’s looked like a small step in the right direction, but now England will have to try and win the series without their captain and all-rounder and key pace bowler.

Although Stokes’ poor batting form is under scrutiny, his all-round ability is crucial to keeping the XI balanced.

Atkinson, 28, has endured a poor winter but looked close to his best with seven wickets in the first Test.

The Surrey man has now handed over his place in the England squad at home and his absence could come back to haunt Archer, who missed the first Test following his spell in the Indian Premier League.

Depending on the circumstances, Stokes’ best replacement spin-bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed will remain in the squad after his absence from the final XI at Lord’s.

It will be tough on Shoaib Bashir – the off-spinner was in Lord’s XI and is not expected to bowl. If Ahmed replaces Stokes, Bashir will pave the way for England to train four specialist seamers.