Ben Stokes is set to return as England captain for the deciding third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge from Thursday.
England head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed the plan after the hosts were beaten by 253 runs at The Oval, with the three-match series now locked at 1-1. Stokes and Gus Atkinson were withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures by the ECB on Sunday and are expected to come back into the England squad, according to Sky Sports’ update on Stokes’ England return.
Stokes missed the second Test after the fallout from a curfew breach, but his Durham workload and form have helped ease concerns before a decisive week.
Stokes return changes England’s Trent Bridge equation
McCullum’s message was direct: England expect their captain back, and they expect him to lead. That matters after New Zealand’s heavy Oval win exposed the thinness of a changed side and left Joe Root carrying too much of the rescue act.
Stokes made 95 for Durham and bowled a significant workload, giving England both a leadership reset and an all-round option before Nottingham.
Atkinson’s likely recall is another major selection shift, particularly after Matt Henry’s 11-wicket match hauled New Zealand level. England now have four days to turn the return of their captain into a decisive response.
