The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced England’s squad for the second New Zealand Test at The Oval. As expected, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson won’t be available for the match due to an ongoing investigation after the players broke the midnight curfew set by the ECB and were involved in an altercation at a nightclub in the early hours of June 8.
Joe Root picked as England’s interim Test captain
In Stokes’ absence, Joe Root will take over as England’s interim Test captain. Surprisingly, Harry Brook, who is England’s Test vice-captain, hasn’t been picked to replace Stokes. The ECB didn’t mention why, but it’s clear the reasoning behind the snub is Brook’s actions in New Zealand last year.
England’s white-ball captain was punched by a bouncer the night before England faced New Zealand in Wellington on November 1. Brook wasn’t rested for the Ashes and even led England in the T20 World Cup 2026 but was warned and fined £30,000 by the ECB for his actions.
One can understand why the ECB didn’t appoint Brook as England’s Test captain. To replace Stokes, who’s under investigation for engaging in a late-night altercation, with Brook, who did something similar, won’t reflect well on the ECB. That’s why former England captain Root has been handed the responsibility for a short-term period. As for Stokes, he’s reportedly mulling retirement after being told to step down as captain by the ECB.
“The England & Wales Cricket Board can confirm that, given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the Rothesay 2nd Test against New Zealand, which starts at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 17 June. Yorkshire batter Joe Root will lead the team as Interim Captain,” the ECB said.
Jordan Cox & Jofra Archer included
Wicketkeeper batter Jordan Cox has been added to England’s squad as a replacement for Stokes, while Jofra Archer takes Atkinson’s spot in the side. It was reported that the ECB will hand Stokes and Atkinson a 2-match suspension. Therefore, Cox will most likely be part of the squad for the third Test as well. As for Jofra, he was unavailable for the first Test due to workload management and returns to the team.
England’s squad for 2nd New Zealand Test
Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox (wk), Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew (wk), Ollie Robinson, Joe Root (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.
Cricket
Rohit Sharma starts IND vs AFG ODI preparations, shows no signs of injury in Mohali practice session
