---
title: "Ben Stokes To Return As England Captain For Deciding New Zealand Test"
canonical: "https://readcricket.com/2026/06/21/ben-stokes-england-captain-new-zealand-third-test/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alistair Nock"
section: "Test Cricket"
published: "2026-06-21T14:29:03Z"
modified: "2026-06-21T14:29:03Z"
---

# Ben Stokes To Return As England Captain For Deciding New Zealand Test

**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 Stokes and Gus Atkinson were withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures by the ECB on Sunday and are expected to come back into the England squad, according to [Sky Sports’ update on Stokes’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](https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/13556370/ben-stokes-brendon-mccullum-planning-for-england-captains-return-for-deciding-third-new-zealand-test).

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.