Just a week ago, Ben Stokes’ England future looked done. There were reports that the England captain was considering retirement, questions over whether he would retain the captaincy, and a massive outbreak following the nightclub incident that led to his suspension from the second Test against New Zealand. The situation now appears to have calmed down a bit.
According to reports by The Telegraph and The Independent, Stokes is edging closer to an England return for the third Test at Trent Bridge next week, with both investigations into the curfew breach nearing their conclusion. We might see Stokes get back in charge.
Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson were left out of the second Test after breaching team protocols following England’s victory over New Zealand at Lord’s on June 8. The pair had remained out beyond the squad’s midnight curfew and, subsequently, became the subject of investigations by both the ECB and the independent Cricket Regulator.
Possible comeback for Stokes on cards
Reports emerged suggesting Stokes had been deeply affected by the controversy. Questions were raised about whether he would continue as captain, while some reports even suggested the 35-year-old had contemplated retirement in the immediate aftermath.
Joe Root was brought back as interim captain for the Oval Test, while the ECB remained cautious about Stokes. However, things have changed over the last few days. Stokes and Atkinson were interviewed by the Cricket Regulator on Thursday, and the ECB is now keen to bring it all to a conclusion.
England’s hierarchy is perhaps open to restoring Stokes to both the squad and the captaincy once the process is completed. Importantly, Root has always viewed his return as a temporary arrangement and is not expected to stand in the way of Stokes’ captaincy duties.
The third England vs New Zealand Test will be played on June 25 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
Durham return a signal?
Another sign that the situation is moving towards a resolution is Stokes’ expected return to county cricket.
The Durham all-rounder has been named in his county’s squad to face Northamptonshire in the County Championship and is set to play unless the ECB intervenes. While the board technically retains the power to withdraw him, there appears little appetite to do so.
The nightclub incident involved Stokes and Atkinson being present when an altercation broke out involving a Saracens academy rugby player. England’s security officer James Shaw required stitches after being struck during the confrontation. Subsequent reports suggested neither Stokes nor Atkinson were the aggressors, although both were found to have breached the team’s curfew.
