Ben Stokes is expected to return for England in the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge on June 25, after being left out of the ongoing second Test at The Kia Oval.
The England captain missed the Oval match following an investigation into an incident at a London nightclub, but Sky Sports reports that Stokes is in line to come back into the side for the series finale in Nottingham.
That possible return now sits against a difficult match situation for England. Joe Root has captained the side on a game-by-game basis in Stokes’ absence, while New Zealand have put the hosts under heavy pressure in south London.
England Need Stokes Clarity Before Trent Bridge
Stokes’ comeback would matter beyond the team sheet. England have had to manage questions around leadership, discipline and balance at the same time as trying to stay alive in the second Test.
New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls century has already left England with a major survival job at The Oval, as covered in ReadCricket’s latest Oval Test update.
Stokes is also due to play for Durham before England’s pre-Test preparations begin, giving selectors one final view of his rhythm and readiness. If he returns as expected, Trent Bridge becomes both a cricketing reset and a leadership test for England’s most important all-rounder.
