Ben Stokes’ return to England colours appears to be only a matter of time now. The England captain and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have both been withdrawn from their respective County Championship fixtures. This clearly gives away that they are being prepared for a return in next week’s third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Stokes was representing Durham against Northamptonshire, while Atkinson had turned out for Surrey against Glamorgan after both players were made unavailable for the ongoing second Test at The Oval. The pair remain under investigation for breaching England’s midnight curfew following the first Test victory at Lord’s earlier this month.
Despite the ongoing inquiry, England had allowed both players to feature in county cricket. Stokes made the most of that opportunity, producing a dominant 95 on Saturday, his highest score in any format since his century against India in the fourth Test last July. Atkinson, meanwhile, showed his bowling rhythm doesn’t go anywhere by claiming four wickets in Surrey’s first innings.
Ben Stokes, Atkinson surely eye Trent Bridge return
England’s preparations for the third Test begin early next week, with training scheduled to start on Tuesday. The ECB always retained the authority to pull both players out of county action. The board has made players pull out amidst the match which is the clearest indication yet that they are expected to rejoin the national setup.
ECB doesn’t want any injuries to Stokes or Atkinson. While there’s still no official confirmation, investigations into the nightclub incident and curfew breach are yet to be formally concluded, while England are also expected to announce their squad only after the second Test at The Oval finishes.
Missing Stokes and Atkinson, along with injured seamer Ollie Robinson and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, the hosts were forced into five changes for the second Test. An inexperienced side featuring three debutants has struggled badly against New Zealand, who are on course to level the series and force a decider at Trent Bridge.
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