Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been included in England’s squad for the third Rothesay Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge after the conclusion of an ECB disciplinary hearing.
The ECB confirmed the pair will return for the final Test in Nottingham, with Stokes named captain and Atkinson also listed in the 15-player squad. The update follows their absence from selection for the second Test after the governing body examined their conduct in the early hours of Monday 8 June.
According to the ECB’s squad update for Trent Bridge, both players were found to have breached contractual obligations around conduct and acting in the best interests of England cricket. They have each received a written warning.
England regain two senior options for Trent Bridge decider
The return is significant because England go into the third Test needing a response after New Zealand’s win in the previous match. Stokes’ availability restores the side’s captain and all-round balance, while Atkinson gives Brendon McCullum another frontline pace option.
The ECB also stated that no blame should be attached to either player for violent conduct at the nightclub. Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident, while Atkinson was described as the victim of unprovoked attacks who did not retaliate.
England’s named squad includes Stokes, Atkinson, Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Rehan Ahmed, Shoaib Bashir and Jamie Smith, leaving selection decisions still to come before the Trent Bridge Test begins.
